Before doing so myself, I took leave of Mr and Mrs H--, telling them that I must be off by daybreak in the morning. My companions, Vane and Cannon, declared their unwillingness to accompany me; and used every argument to dissuade me from such an abrupt departure; but their arguments were only thrown away upon me. I had formed the determination; and nothing could have influenced me to abandon it. On becoming assured of this, they at length consented to go along with me. Mr and Mrs H--did not urge me very strenuously to remain; and I believe that their silent eloquence could have been explained: by the supposition that it arose, from a regard for the happiness of their daughter. We took our departure from the station at an early hour of the morning-- before any of the household--except some of the domestics--were astir. This manner of leaving may appear unceremonious; and would be so, in many parts of the world. But it is nothing unusual in Australia--where early setting out upon a journey is almost the universal fashion. I did not care for the company of Vane and Cannon, on the way back to Melbourne. I would much rather have dispensed with it: as I wished to be alone. I wanted an opportunity for reflection--such as that journey would have afforded me. The society of Jessie H--had revived many memories within me. It had rekindled my passion for Lenore-- strengthened my regrets for the past, and my despair for the future. As I walked at a rapid pace, my companions fell behind--until, at length, I lost of them altogether. Before the hour of noon, I had reached the city of Melbourne--sorry to think I had ever left it, to go upon an excursion, that had ended only in adding to the discontent already too firmly established within my bosom. Volume Two, Chapter XXVIII. UNSUITABLE ASSOCIATES. Once more I found myself without a home, without an occupation, and without any plans for the future--with a spirit undecided--depending on some slight circumstance as to what course I should next take. Such a position is ever unpleasant. I knew this, from the fact of having been too often placed in it; and being well accustomed to the disagreeable reflections attending it. I was anxious to decide, upon something to do. What should it be? What part of the world should I next visit? Why had I come back to Melbourne at all? Was it to make more money; or spend what I had already made? These, and a thousand other interrogatories succeeded each other in my mind; but to none of them could I give an intelligent answer.