Page:Australian Emigrant 1854.djvu/32

16 sisters pictured, in their simplicity, the delight Hugh would experience on the morrow when he sighted the Canary Islands.

"Do you know," said Annie Baymond, after a short pause in the conversation, "Hugh has been away only a few weeks, and Amy Leslie has asked me, very often, if we have heard from him. I think she loves him nearly as well as we do."

"Before Hugh left us," said Kate, "she said his pride made him leave England, and that she feared because he was poor he fancied himself not so worthy of her regard; but that for her part, she should never marry for the sake of money. I told Hugh, and he said his mind was made up to go abroad; but that had he known exactly the state of Amy's affections earlier, it might have delayed his coming to such a decided resolution. — 'It would have been a great temptation for me to have remained in England' he said, 'for Amy is wealthy: she is a good, affectionate girl, and I was always fond of her; and I must confess, now that I am going to leave you all, that I feel more love for her than friendship. But then I am poor and proud: I will become more her equal in wealth than I am at present; and I will not sell my independence even when inclination most strongly tempts me.'"

Hugh fancied himself a philosopher: he had no idea that a love of adventure, and the gratification of a naturally roving disposition, went hand in hand with a spirit of independence, and urged him to take the step he did. Thrown together as Miss Leslie and he had been from early life, it is hardly surprising that an attachment existed between them. It had grown so imperceptibly, that Hugh had never directly spoken of love until they were on the point of parting; then he told her he should return to England in four years, and hoped to find her the same dear girl he was leaving. Promises to correspond passed on both sides, and so the lovers parted.

There is a great sameness in all long voyages, and it is not