These principles were not new from the mouth of Ludloe, but
they had, hitherto, been regarded as the fruits of a venturous
speculation in my mind. I had never traced them into their
practical consequences, and if his conduct on this occasion had not
squared with his maxims, I should not have imputed to him
inconsistency. I did not ponder on these reasonings at this time:
objects of immediate importance engrossed my thoughts.

One obstacle to this measure was removed. When my voyage was
performed how should I subsist in my new abode? I concealed not my
perplexity and he commented on it in his usual manner. How did I
mean to subsist, he asked, in my own country? The means of living
would be, at least, as much within my reach there as here. As to
the pressure of immediate and absolute want, he believed I should
be exposed to little hazard. With talents such as mine, I must be
hunted by a destiny peculiarly malignant, if I could not provide
myself with necessaries wherever my lot were cast.

He would make allowances, however, for my diffidence and self-
distrust, and would obviate my fears by expressing his own
intentions with regard to me. I must be apprized, however, of his
true meaning. He laboured to shun all hurtful and vitious things,
and therefore carefully abstained from making or confiding ~~in
promises~~. It was just to assist me in this voyage, and it would
probably be equally just to continue to me similar assistance when
it was finished. That indeed was a subject, in a great degree,
within my own cognizance. His aid would be proportioned to my
wants and to my merits, and I had only to take care that my claims
were just, for them to be admitted.