Alida Part 28

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

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

"Four weeks, then," said she, "from this day, honour me with a visit, and you shall have my decision, and receive my final answer." "I will be punctual to the day," he replied, and bade her adieu.

[_A&M_:

"Four weeks, then, [she said] from this day, honor me with a visit, and you shall have my decision, and receive my final answer." "I will be punctual to the day," he replied, and bade her adieu.]

Theodore's hours from this time winged heavily away. His wonted cheerfulness fled; he wooed the silent and solitary haunts of musing, moping melancholy. He loved to wander through lonely fields, when dewy twilight robed the evening mild, or to trace the forest glen, through which the moon darted her silvery intercepted rays. His agitated thoughts preyed upon his peace incessantly, and deeply disturbed his repose.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo's hours now winged heavily away. His wonted cheerfulness fled; he wooed the silent and solitary haunts of "musing, moping melancholy." He loved to wander through lonely fields, or along the verge of some lingering stream, "when dewy twilight rob'd the evening mild," or "to trace the forest glen, thro' which the moon darted her silvery intercepted ray."

He was fondly indulging a tender pa.s.sion, which preyed upon his peace, and deeply disturbed his repose.]

He looked anxiously to the hour when Alida was to make the decision. He wished, yet dreaded the event. In that he foresaw, or thought he foresaw, a withering blight to all his hopes, and a final consummation to his foreboding fears. He had pressed Alida, perhaps too urgently, to a declaration. Had her predilection been in his favour, would she have hesitated to avow it? Her father had advised her to relinquish one, and to retain the other, nor had he attempted to influence or direct her choice. Was it not evident, then, from her confused hesitation and embarra.s.sment, when solicited to discriminate upon the subject, that her ultimate decision would be in favour of Bonville?

[_A&M_:

He looked anxiously to the hour when Melissa was to make her decision. He wished, yet dreaded the event. In that he foresaw, or thought he foresaw, a withering blight to his budding hopes, and a final consummation to his foreboding fears. He had pressed Melissa, perhaps too urgently, to a declaration. Had her predilection been in his favor, would she have hesitated to avow it? Her parents had advised her to relinquish and had permitted her to retain one suitor, nor had they attempted to influence or direct her choice.

Was it not evident, then, from her confused hesitation and embarra.s.sment, when solicited to discriminate upon the subject, that her ultimate decision would be in favor of Beauman?]

While Theodore's mind was thus in agitation, he received a second letter from his friend in the neighbourhood of Alida. He read the following clause therein with emotions more easily to be conceived than expressed: "Alida's wedding-day is appointed. I need not tell you that Bonville is to be the happy deity of the hymenial sacrifice. I had it from his own declaration. He did not name the positive day, but it is certainly to be soon. You will undoubtedly, however, have timely notice, and receive an invitation."

[_A&M_:

While Alonzo's mind was thus agitated, he received a second letter from his friend in the neighborhood of Melissa. He read the following clause therein with emotion more easily to be conceived than expressed:--

"Melissa's wedding day is appointed. I need not tell you that Beauman is to be the happy deity of the Hymeneal sacrifice. I had this from his own declaration. He did not name the positive day, but it is certainly to be soon. You will undoubtedly, however, have timely notice, as a guest."]

"We must pour out a liberal libation upon the mystic altar, Theodore, and twine the nuptial garland with wreaths of joy. Bonville should devote a rich offering to so valuable a prize. He has been here for a week, and departed for New-York yesterday, but is shortly to return."

[_A&M_:

"We must pour a liberal libation upon the mystic altar, Alonzo, and twine the nuptial garland with wreaths of joy. Beauman ought to devote a rich offering to so valuable a prize. He has been here for a week, and departed for New-London yesterday, but is shortly to return."]

And why have I ever doubted this event? said Theodore. What infatuation hath then led me on in the pursuit of fantastic and unreal bliss? I have had, it is true, no positive a.s.surances that Alida would be disposed to favour my addresses. But why did she ever receive them? Why did she enchantingly smile upon me? Why fascinate the soft powers of my heart by that winning mildness, and the favourable display of those complicated and superior attractions which she must have known were irresistible?

And now she would have me dance attendance to her decision in favour of another--insulting; let Bonville and herself make it, as they have formed this farcical decision. I absolutely will never attend it. Why did she not spurn me from her confidence, and plainly tell me that my attentions were untimely and improper?

[_A&M_:

"And why have I ever doubted this event? [said Alonzo.] What infatuation hath thus led me on the pursuit of fantastic and unreal bliss? I have had, it is true, no positive a.s.surance that Melissa would favor my addresses. But why did she ever receive them? Why did she enchantingly smile upon me? Why fascinate the tender powers of my soul by that winning mildness, and the favorable display of those complicated and superior attractions which she must have known were irresistible? Why did she not spurn me from her confidence, and plainly tell me that my attentions were untimely and improper?--And now she would have me dance attendance to her decision, in favor of Beauman--Insulting! Let Beauman and she make, as they have formed, this farcical decision; I absolutely will never attend it.]

But, I have engaged to see her at an appointed time; my honour is therefore pledged for an interview; it must take place. I shall endeavour to support it with becoming dignity, and I will convince Alida and Bonville, that I am not the dupe of their caprices. But, let me consider--What has Alida done to deserve censure or reproach? Her brother was my early friend; she has treated me as a friend to that brother. She was unconscious of the affection which her charms and mental graces had kindled in my bosom. Her evident embarra.s.sment, on receiving my declaration, witnessed her surprise and prior attachment.

What could she do to save herself the pain of a direct denial? She has appointed a day when her refusal may come in a more delicate and formal manner--and I must therefore meet it.

[_A&M_:

--But stop:--I have engaged to see her at an appointed time; my honor is therefore pledged for an interview; it must take place. I shall support it with becoming dignity, and I will convince Melissa and Beauman that I am not the dupe of their caprices. But let me consider--What has Melissa done to deserve censure or reproach? Her brother was my early friend--she has treated me as a friend to her brother. She was unconscious of the flame which her charms had kindled in my bosom. Her evident embarra.s.sment and confusion on receiving my declaration, witnessed her surprise and prior attachment. What could she do? To save herself the pain of a direct denial she has appointed a day when her refusal may come in a more delicate and formal manner--and I must meet it."]

CHAPTER IX.

The time draws near when I shall meet those eyes, that may perchance look cold on me--"but doubt is called the beacon of the wise, the test that reaches to the bottom of the worst."

[_Troilus and Cressida_, II.ii: but modest doubt is called The beacon of the wise, the tent that searches To th' bottom of the worst.]

On the appointed day, Theodore proceeded to the house of Alida's father, where he arrived late in the afternoon. Alida had retired to a little summer-house at the end of the garden. A servant conducted him thither.

[_A&M_:

At the appointed day, Alonzo proceeded to the house of Melissa's father, where he arrived late in the afternoon. Melissa had retired to a little summer house at the end of the garden; a servant conducted Alonzo thither.]

She was dressed in a flowing robe of white muslin, richly embroidered.

Her hair was in dishevelled curls; she was contemplating a bouquet of flowers which she held in her hand. Theodore fancied she never appeared so lovely. She arose to receive him.

[_A&M_:

She was dressed in a flowing robe of white muslin, embroidered with a deep fringe of lace. Her hair hung loosely upon her shoulders--she was contemplating a bouquet of flowers which she held in her hand.

Alonzo fancied she never appeared so lovely. She arose to receive him.]

We have been expecting you for some time, said she; we were anxious to inform you that we have just received a letter from my brother, in which he desires us to present you his most friendly respects, and complains of your not visiting him lately so frequently as usual. Theodore thanked her for the information; said that business had prevented him; he esteemed him as his most valuable friend, and would be more particular in future.

[_A&M_:

"We have been expecting you some time, [said Melissa,] we were anxious to inform you, that we have just received a letter from my brother, in which he desires us to present you his most friendly respects, and complains of your not writing to him lately so frequently as usual." Alonzo thanked her for the information--said that business had prevented him--he esteemed him as his most valuable friend, and would be more particular in future.]

"We have been thronged with company several days," said Alida. The last of them took their departure yesterday. And I have only to regret, that I have nearly a week been prevented from taking my favourite walk to the grove, to which place you attended me when you were last here. "We will walk there, then, if you have no objections, as no doubt it is much improved since that time," said Theodore. They resorted thither towards evening, and seated themselves in the arbour where they sat some time contemplating the scenery.

[_A&M_:

"We have been thronged with company for several days, [said Melissa]

once a year .... The last of this company took their departure yesterday, and I have only to regret that I have for nearly a week, been prevented from visiting my favorite hill, to which you attended me when you was last here. It is much improved since then; I have had a little arbor built under the large tree on its summit: you will have no objection to view it, Alonzo?" He a.s.sured her he accepted the invitation with pleasure, and towards evening they resorted to the place and seated themselves in the arbor.]

[[The omitted text, referring to Melissa's father's birthday celebration, was used earlier in _Alida_.]]

It was the beginning of autumn, and a yellow hue was spread over the natural beauties of creation. The withering forest began to shed its decaying foliage, which the light gales pursued along the russet fields;--the low sun extended its lengthening shadows;--curling smoke ascended from the neighbouring village and the surrounding cottages;--a thick fog crept along the valleys;--a grey mist hovered over the tops of the distant hills;--the gla.s.sy surface of the water glittering to the sun's departing ray;--the solemn herds lowed in monotonous symphony;--the autumnal insects, in sympathetic wafting, plaintively predicted their approaching fate.

[_A&M_:

It was the beginning of autumn, and a yellow hue was spread over the fading charms of nature. The withering forest began to shed its decaying foliage, which the light gales pursued along the russet fields. The low sun extended the lengthening shadows; curling smoke ascended from the surrounding cottages. A thick fog crept along the vallies, a grey mist hovered over the tops of the mountains. The gla.s.sy surface of the Sound glittered to the sun's departing ray.

The solemn herds lowed in monotonous symphony.--The autumnal insects in sympathetic wafting, plaintively predicted their approaching fate.]

The scene is changed since we last visited this place, said Alida; "the gay charms of summer are beginning to decay, and must soon yield their splendours to the rude despoiling hand of winter."