besides, there is a moral pride about useful occupation. But there is sometimes a danger in being too useful; and Charles Penrhyn had found that his very services precluded their reward; he was too valuable to Lord Penrhyn to be spared to a wider and more profitable sphere of action. Still he hoped that in time his services would give him a claim; and, till he met Louisa Granard, he was careless when the time might actually come.
But a serious and earnest attachment brought with it serious and earnest thoughts. He began to picture to himself a very different life to that which he had hitherto led—a life of active duties, whose reward had reference to another. The novelty of society was over, and, with it, much of its attraction; and he thought that, instead of perpetual operas, concerts, and balls, many pleasant evenings might be passed in a quiet home, with one rational and affectionate companion. On his present income it would be insanity to marry; but, let him once obtain a moderate independence, with the prospect of increase, and he knew that both Louisa and himself would be content to make many sacrifices, or what would be called such, in their circle. He felt that he had a right to claim further assistance from Lord Penrhyn; and his letter to Louisa announced his intention of doing so that very day. Louisa read and re-read the precious pages, and had just finished a few lines, or rather what had originally been intended to be a few lines, of encouragement and affection. These
