what does the phrase "afforded him an asylum and a means for subsistence suggest about the narrator's friend from Italy?

a the friend found living in England to be less expensive
b the friend left Italy to pursue a more secure way of life
c the friend planned to earn the money to return it italy
d the friend thought England was a friendlier place to live

The phrase "afforded him an asylum and a means for subsistence" suggests that the narrator's friend from Italy left Italy to pursue a more secure way of life.