calamity; and this I was
determined to keep concealed, as I had told my father I would keep
it. My last-left consolation was my knowledge of still preserving that
resolution, of still honourably holding by it at all hazards, cost what
it might.

So I thought no more of succour or sympathy from any one of my friends.
As a stranger I had been driven from my home, and as a stranger I was
resigned to live, until I had learnt how to conquer my misfortune by
my own vigour and endurance. Firm in this determination, though firm
in nothing else, I now looked around me for the first shelter I could
purchase from strangers--the humbler the better.

I happened to be in the poorest part, and on the poorest side of the
great street along which I was walking--among the inferior shops, and
the houses of few stories. A room to let was not hard to find here. I
took the first I saw; escaped questions about names and references
by paying my week's rent in advance; and then found myself left in
possession of the one little room which I must be resigned to look on
for the future--perhaps for a long future!--as my home.

Home! A dear and a mournful remembrance was revived in the reflections
suggested by that simple word. Through the darkness that thickened over
my mind, there now passed one faint ray of light which gave promise of
the morning--the light of the calm face that I had last looked on when
it was resting on my father's breast.

Clara! My parting words to her, when I had unclasped from my neck those
kind arms which would fain have held me to home for ever, had expressed
a promise that was yet unfulfilled. I trembled as I now thought on my
sister's situation. Not knowing whither I had turned my steps on
leaving home; uncertain to what extremities my despair might hurry me;
absolutely ignorant even whether she might ever see me again--it was
terrible to reflect on the suspense under which she might be suffering,
at this very moment, on my account. My promise to write to her, was of
all promises the most vitally important, and the first that should be
fulfilled.

My letter was very short. I communicated to her the address of the
house in which I was living (well knowing that nothing but positive
information on this point would effectually relieve her anxiety)--I
asked her to write in reply, and let me hear some news of her, the best
that she could give--and I entreated her to believe implicitly in my
patience and courage under e