From that moment, he became reserved in his intercourse with her; and, after a short time, firmly made up his mind that it was his duty to retire from the family of his benefactor.

The thought of endeavoring to win the heart of the beautiful girl, whom he had always loved as a sister, and now almost worshipped, was not, for a moment entertained.

To him there would have been so much of ingratitude in this, and so much that involved a base violation of Mr.Darlington's confidence, that he would have suffered anything rather than be guilty of such an act.
But he could not leave the home where he had been so kindly regarded for years, without offering some reason that would be satisfactory.
The true reason, he could not, of course, give.

After looking at the subject in various lights, and debating it for a long time, Edwin could see no way in which he could withdraw from the family of Mr.
Darlington, without betraying his secret, unless he were to leave the city at the same time.

He, therefore, sought and obtained the situation of supercargo in a vessel loading for Valparaiso.
When Edwin announced this fact to Mr.Darlington, the merchant was greatly surprised, and appeared hurt that the young man should take such a step without a word of consultation with him.