Part 33 (2/2)

When Alonzo arrived at the house of his friend, he was received with the same disinterested ardor he ever had been in the day of his most unbounded prosperity. After being seated, Vincent told him that the occasion of his sending for him was to propose the adoption of certain measures which he doubted not might be considered highly beneficial as it respected his future peace and happiness. ”Your family misfortunes (continued Vincent) have reached the ears of Melissa's father. I know the old gentleman too well to believe he will consent to receive you as his son-in-law, under your present embarra.s.sments. Money is the G.o.d to which he implicitly bows. The case is difficult, but not insurmountable. You must first see Melissa; she is now in the next room; I will introduce you in; converse with her, after which I will lay my plan before you.”]

Theodore entered the room. Alida was sitting by a window which looked into a pleasant garden, and over verdant meadows where tall gra.s.s waved to the evening breeze; further on, low valleys spread their umbrageous thickets where the dusky shadows of night had began to a.s.semble. On the high hills beyond, the tops of lofty forests, majestically moved by the billowy gales, caught the sun's last ray. Fleecy summer clouds hovered around the verge of the western horizon, spangled with silvery tints or fringed with the gold of evening.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo entered the room; Melissa was sitting by a window which looked into a pleasant garden, and over verdant meadows, whose tall gra.s.s waved to the evening breeze. Farther on, low vallies spread their umbrageous thickets, where the dusky shadows of night had begun to a.s.semble. On high hills beyond, the tops of lofty forests, majestically moved by the billowy gales, caught the sun's last ray.

Fleecy summer clouds hovered around the verge of the western horizon, spangled with silvery tints or fringed with the gold of evening.]

A mournfully murmuring rivulet purled at a little distance from the garden, on the borders of a small grove, from whence the American wild dove wafted her sympathetic moaning to the ear of Alida. She was leaning on a small table as she sat by the window, which was thrown up. Her attention was fixed. She did not perceive Raymond and Theodore as they entered. They advanced towards her; she turned, started, and arose. With a melancholy smile she said she supposed it was Mrs. Raymond who was approaching, as she had just left the room. Her countenance was dejected, which, on seeing Theodore, lighted up into a languid sprightliness. It was evident she had been weeping. Raymond retired, and Theodore and Alida seated themselves.

[_A&M_:

A mournfully murmuring rivulet purled at a little distance from the garden, on the borders of a small grove, from whence the American wild dove wafted her sympathetic moaning to the ear of Melissa. She sat leaning on a small table by the window, which was thrown up. Her attention was fixed. She did not perceive Vincent and Alonzo as they entered. They advanced towards her. She turned, started, and arose.

With a melancholy smile, and tremulous voice, ”I supposed (she said) that it was Mrs. Vincent who was approaching, as she has just left the room.” Her countenance appeared dejected, which on seeing Alonzo, lighted up into a languid sprightliness. It was evident she had been weeping.

Vincent retired and Alonzo and Melissa seated themselves by the window.]

”I have broken in upon your solitude, perhaps too unseasonably,” said Theodore. It is however the fault of Raymond; he invited me to walk into the room, but did not inform me that you were alone.

”Your presence was sudden and unexpected, but not unseasonable,” replied Alida. I hope that you did not consider any formality necessary in your visits, Theodore?

[_A&M_:

”I have broken in upon your solitude, perhaps, too unseasonably (said Alonzo); it is, however, the fault of Vincent, he invited me to walk into the room, but did not inform me that you were alone.”-- ”Your presence was sudden and unexpected, but not unseasonable, (replied Melissa.) I hope that you did not consider any formality necessary in your visits, Alonzo?”]

”I once did not think so,” answered Theodore; now I know not what to think--I know not how to act. You have heard of the misfortunes of my father's family, Alida?

”Yes, I have heard the circ.u.mstances attending that event,” said she; an event in which no one could be more deeply interested, except the immediate sufferers, than myself.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo. I once did not think so. Now I know not what to think--I know not how to act. You have heard of the misfortunes of my father's family, Melissa?

Melissa. Yes. I have heard the circ.u.mstances attending that event, an event in which no one could be more deeply interested, except the immediate sufferers, than myself.]

”Your father is also acquainted with my present situation,” said Theodore; and how did he receive the intelligence?

”With deep regret,” replied Alida.

Has he forbidden you to admit my addresses any longer? if even in an unqualified or indirect manner, it is proper I should know it.

[_A&M_:

Al. Your father is also acquainted with my present situation?

Mel. He is.

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