Alida Part 27

He thanked her for her condescension.]

The next morning Bonville set out to go to New-York. Theodore observed that he took particular leave of Alida, telling her, in a low voice, that he should have the happiness of seeing her again, within two or three weeks certainly.

[_A&M_:

The next morning Beauman set out for New-London; Alonzo observed that he took a tender leave of Melissa, telling her in a low voice that he should have the happiness of seeing her again within two or three weeks.]

After he was gone, as Alida and Theodore were sitting in the room alone, "Well," said she, "am I to hear your excuses, Theodore?" "For what, madam?" "For neglecting your friends." "I hope it is not so considered, madam." "Seriously, then, why have you stayed away so long? Has this place no charms in the absence of my brother?"

[_A&M_:

After he was gone, as Melissa and Alonzo were sitting in a room alone, "well, (said she) am I to hear your excuses?"

Alonzo. For what, madam?

Melissa. For neglecting your friends.

Al. I hope it is not so considered, madam.

Mel. Seriously, then, why have you stayed away so long? Has this place no charms in the absence of my brother?]

"Would my presence have added to your felicity, Alida?" "You never came an unwelcome visiter here." "Perhaps I might be sometimes intrusive when Bonville is your guest." "I have supposed you were on friendly terms,"

said she. "We are, but there are seasons when friends.h.i.+p must yield its pretensions to a superior claim."

[_A&M_:

Al. Would my presence have added to your felicity, Melissa?

Mel. You never came an unwelcome visitor here.

Al. Perhaps I might be sometimes intrusive.

Mel. What times?

Al. When Beauman is your guest.

Mel. I have supposed you were on friendly terms.

Al. We are.

Mel. Why then intrusive?

Al. There are seasons when friends.h.i.+p must yield its pretensions to a superior claim.

"Will you answer me one question, Alida, are you engaged to Bonville?"

"He has asked me the same question concerning you," replied she, (blus.h.i.+ng.)

[_A&M_:

Al. Will you, Melissa, answer me one question?

Al. Are you engaged to Beauman?

Mel. [blus.h.i.+ng] He has asked me the same question concerning you.]

"Do you," continued Theodore, "prefer him to any other?" Alida, (blus.h.i.+ng deeply.) "He has made the same inquiries respecting you."

[_A&M_:

Al. Do you prefer him to any other?

Mel. [deeply blus.h.i.+ng, her eyes cast upon the floor] He has made the same enquiry respecting you.]

"I beg, madam, you will deal with me candidly," said Theodore, (taking her hand with anxiety.) "I am ent.i.tled to no claims, but you know what my heart would ask. I will bow to your decision. Bonville or Theodore must relinquish their pretensions. We cannot share the blessing."

[_A&M_:

Al. [Taking her hand with anxiety] Melissa, I beg you will deal candidly. I am ent.i.tled to no claims, but you know what my heart would ask. I will bow to your decision. Beauman or Alonzo must relinquish their pretensions. We cannot share the blessing.]

The cheeks of Alida were suffused with a varying glow, her lips were pale, her voice tremulous, and her eyes cast down. "My father has informed me," she said, "that it is improper to receive the particular addresses of more than one. I am conscious of my inadvertency, and that the reproof is just. One, therefore, must be dismissed." But, (she blushed deeper,) and a considerable pause ensued.

[_A&M_:

Mel. [Her cheeks suffused with a varying glow, her lips pale, her voice tremulous, her eyes still cast down.] My parents have informed me that it is improper to receive the particular addresses of more than one. I am conscious of my inadvertency, and that the reproof is just. One therefore must be dismissed. But--[she blushed.]

A considerable pause ensued.]

At length Theodore arose. "I will not press you further," said he.

"I know the delicacy of your feelings; I know your sincerity; I will not therefore insist on your performing the painful task of deciding against me. Your conduct in every point of view has been discreet. I would have no just claims, or if I had, your heart must sanction them, or they would be unhallowed, and unjustifiable. I shall ever pray for your felicity. Our affections are not under our direction; our happiness depends on our obedience to their mandates. Whatever, then, may be my sufferings, you are unblameable, and irreproachable."

[_A&M_:

At length Alonzo arose--"I will not press you farther, [said he] I know the delicacy of your feeling, I know your sincerity; I will not therefore insist on your performing the painful task of deciding against me. Your conduct, in every point of view, has been discreet.

I could have no just claims, or if I had, your heart must sanction them or they would be unhallowed and unjustifiable.--I shall ever pray for your felicity. Our affections are not under our direction; our happiness depends on our obedience to their mandates. Whatever, then, may be my sufferings, you are unblamable and irreproachable."]

He took his hat in extreme agitation, and prepared himself to take leave. Alida had recovered in some degree from her embarra.s.sment, and collected her scattered spirits.

[_A&M_:

He took his hat in extreme agitation, and prepared to take his leave.

Melissa had recovered in some degree from her embarra.s.sment, and collected her scattered spirits.]

"Your conduct, Theodore," said she, "is generous and n.o.ble. Will you give yourself the trouble, and do me the honour to see me once more?"

"I will," said he, "at any time you shall appoint."

[_A&M_: