Page:Authors daughter v1.djvu/177

Rh to take a better situation than my present. I think I will stay in my present employment. for I appear to have been too fond of change. What between the sea and the diggings and the quart-crushing company and the brewery I have always had tempting offers for bettering myself, sad the consequence is that those who have stuck to the worst employment have distanced me in the race. And it is this desire for change that has made me so averse to return to you when you urged it so strongly; if I could not stay at home when I got there I should only disappoint you doubly.

"But I think I have come to a turning in my life, and that I may yet become worthy of your affection. Something has come my path just at this time in the shape of a good woman, and whether I my ever see my way to marry her or not, whether I may ever grow deserve her or not, I shall always feel indebted to her for the advice she has given and the resolution she has inspired. If I am ever a comfort or a pride to you in my life, it will be greatly owing to her.

"I have a year's wages almost untouched and mean to keep it sacred, and when I have saved of my own earnings as much as will take me home and bring me back again, if I cannot settle