Moreover, I had been somewhat fascinated by the free, romantic life of the gold-hunter; and was strongly tempted once more to try my fortune upon the gold fields. Still there was a greater attraction in Liverpool. I had been too long absent from Lenore; and must return to her. The desire of making money, or of aiding my relatives, could no longer detain me. I must learn, whether the future was worth warring for--whether my reward was to be, Lenore. I told my sister that I should not any more urge her to accompany me-- that I should go alone, and leave her, with my best wishes for her future welfare. I did not even require her to tell me the true reasons why she was not willing to leave Sydney: for I was determined we should part in friendship. I merely remarked that, we must no more be lost to each other's knowledge; but that we should correspond regularly. I impressed upon her at parting--ever to remember that she had a brother to whom she could apply, in case her unexplained conduct should ever bring regret. My sister seemed much affected by my parting words; and I could tell that her motive for remaining behind was one of no ordinary strength. I resolved, before leaving her, to place her beyond the danger of immediate want. A woman, apparently respectable, wished some one with a little money to join her in the same business, in which my mother and Martha had been engaged. I was able to give my sister what money the woman required; and, before leaving, I had the satisfaction to see her established in the business, and settled in a comfortable home. There was nothing farther to detain me in Sydney--nothing, as I fondly fancied, but the sea between myself and Lenore! Volume Two, Chapter XIX. NEWS FROM LENORE. A large clipper ship was about to sail for Liverpool; and I paid it a visit--in order to inspect the accommodations it might afford for a passenger. I made up my mind to go by this vessel; and selected a berth in the second cabin. Before leaving the clipper, I came in contact with her steward; and was surprised at finding in him an old acquaintance. I was agreeably surprised: for it was Mason--the man who had been steward of the ship Lenore--already known to the reader, as one of the men, who had assisted in setting me right with Mrs Hyland and her daughter. Mason was pleased to meet me again; and we had a talk over old times. He told me, that since leaving Liverpool he had heard of Adkins; that he was the first officer of an American ship; and had won the reputation of being a great bully. I told the steward in return that I had heard of Adkins myself at a later date--that I had in fact, seen him, in California, where I had been a witness to his death, and that he had been killed for indulging in the very propensity spoken of.