Alida Part 34

Al. How did he receive the intelligence?

Mel. With deep regret.

Al. And forbade you to admit my addresses any longer?

Mel. No. Not absolutely.

Al. If even in an unqualified or indirect manner, it is proper I should know it.]

"It certainly is," said Alida. Soon after we received the intelligence of your family misfortunes, my father came into the room where I was sitting: 'Alida,' said he, 'your conduct has ever been that of a dutiful child,--mine, of an indulgent parent. My ultimate wish is to see my children, when settled in life, happy and honourably respected. For this purpose I have bestowed on them a proper education, and design suitably to apportion my property among them. On their part, it is expected they will act prudently and discreetly, especially in those things which concern materially their future peace and welfare: the princ.i.p.al requisite to insure this is a proper connexion in marriage.' Here my father paused a considerable time, and then continued: 'I know, my child, that your situation is a very delicate one. Your marriage-day is appointed; it was named under the fairest prospects. By the failure of Theodore's father, those prospects have become deeply darkened, if not totally obliterated.

[_A&M_:

Mel. It certainly is. Soon after we received the intelligence of your family misfortunes, my father came into the room where I was sitting, "Melissa, (said he) your conduct has ever been that of a dutiful child; mine of an indulgent parent. My first, my ultimate wish, is to see my children, when settled in life, happy and honorably respected. For this purpose, I have bestowed on them a proper education, and design suitably to apportion my property between them. On their part, it is expected they will act prudently and discreetly, especially in those things which concern their future peace and welfare; the princ.i.p.al requisite to ensure this is a proper connexion in marriage." Here my father paused a considerable time, and then continued, "I know, my child, that your situation is a very delicate one. Your marriage day is appointed; it was appointed under the fairest prospects; by the failure of Alonzo's father, those prospects have become deeply darkened, if not totally obliterated.]

To commit your fortune through life to a person in his present circ.u.mstances, would be hazardous in the extreme. The day named can at least be suspended; perhaps something more favourable may appear. At any rate, I have too much confidence in your discretion to suppose that you will, by any rash act, bring reproach either upon yourself or your connexions.' Thus spake my father, and immediately withdrew.

[_A&M_:

"To commit your fortune through life, to a person unable to support you, would be hazardous in the extreme. The marriage day can at least be suspended; perhaps something more favorable may appear. At any rate, I have too much confidence in your discretion, to suppose that you will, by any rash act, bring either poverty or reproach upon yourself or your connexions." Thus spake my father, and immediately withdrew.]

"In our present dilemma," said Theodore, "what is proper to be done?"

[_A&M_:

In our present dilemma, (said Alonzo) what is proper to be done?]

"It is difficult to determine," answered Alida. "Should my father expressly forbid our union, or to see each other at present, it is probable he will carry his commands into effect. I would advise you to call on him to-morrow with your usual freedom. Whatever may be the event, I shall deal sincerely with you. Mrs. Raymond has been my friend and a.s.sociate from my earliest years--Raymond you know. In them we can place the utmost confidence. From them you will be enabled to obtain information should I be prevented from seeing you. My reliance on Providence, I trust, will never be shaken, but my future prospects, at present, are dark and gloomy."

[_A&M_:

It is difficult to determine, (replied Melissa.) Should my father expressly forbid our union, he will go all lengths to carry his commands into effect. Although a tender parent, he is violent in his prejudices, and resolute in his purposes. I would advise you to call at my father's house tomorrow, with your usual freedom. Whatever may be the event, I shall deal sincerely with you.... Mrs. Vincent has been my friend and a.s.sociate from my earliest years. Vincent you know. In them we can place the utmost confidence. My reliance on Providence, I trust, will never be shaken, but my future prospects, at present, are dark and gloomy.]

"Let us not despair," said Theodore; "perhaps those gloomy clouds which now hover around us, may yet be dissipated by the bright beams of joy.

Worth and innocence are the care of Heaven,--there rests my hope.

To-morrow, as you propose, I will call at your father's. If I should be debarred in future from seeing you, I will write as formerly, and direct the letters to Raymond."

[_A&M_:

Let us not despair, (answered Alonzo) perhaps those gloomy clouds which now hover around us, will yet be dissipated by the bright beams of joy. Innocence and virtue are the cares of Heaven. There lies my hope. To-morrow, as you propose, I will call at your father's.]

Alida now returned home, attended by Theodore. A whip-poor-will tuned its nightly song at a distance; but the sound which had so late appeared to them cheerful and sprightly, now pa.s.sed heavily over their hearts.

[_A&M_:

Melissa now prepared to return home; a whipperwill tuned its nightly song at a little distance; but the sound, late so cheerful and sprightly, now pa.s.sed heavily over their hearts.]

CHAPTER XII.

"O, happiness, deceitful in thy dream,"

Though wreaths all blooming hang upon thy brow, And quick dissolves the visionary gleam, Succeeded soon by various scenes of wo.

When Theodore returned to the house of his friend, he unfolded the plan he had projected.

[_A&M_:

When Alonzo returned, Vincent unfolded the plan he had projected.]

"No sooner," said Raymond, "was I informed of your misfortunes, than I was convinced that Alida's father (whom I have known for many years) would endeavour to dissolve your intended union with his daughter. And however he may doat on his children, or value their happiness, he will not hesitate to sacrifice his better feelings to the accomplishment of his wishes to see them independent. It appears that you have but one resource left. You and Alida are now engaged by the most solemn ties, by every rite except those which are ceremonial; these I would advise you to enter into, and trust to the consequences. Mrs. Raymond has proposed the scheme to Alida, but implicitly accustomed to filial obedience, she shudders at the idea of a clandestine marriage; but when her father will proceed to rigorous measures, she will, I think, consent to the alternative.

[_A&M_:

"No sooner (said he) was I informed of your misfortunes, than I was convinced that Melissa's father would endeavor to dissolve your intended union with his daughter. I have known him many years, and however he may dote on his children, or value their happiness, he will not hesitate to sacrifice his other feelings to the acquirement of riches. It appeared that you had but one resource left. You and Melissa are now united by the most solemn ties--by every rite except those which are merely ceremonial. These I would advise you to enter into, and trust to the consequences. Mrs. Vincent has proposed the scheme to Melissa, but implicitly accustomed to filial obedience, she shudders at the idea of a clandestine marriage. But when her father shall proceed to rigorous measures, she will, I think, consent to the alternative...."

The world is before you, Theodore," continued he; "you have friends, you have acquirements which will not fail you. In a country like this you can scarcely help obtaining a competency, which, with the other requisites you have in your power, will not fail to insure your independence and felicity."

[_A&M_:

"The world is before you, (answered Vincent) you have friends, you have acquirements which will not fail you. In a country like this, you can hardly fail of obtaining a competency, which, with the other requisites, will ensure your independence and felicity."]

"But the times have changed," said Theodore, since the commencement of the war, and probably I may yet have to join the army. After I have made my visit on the morrow to Alida's father, we will discourse further on the subject.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo informed Vincent what had been agreed upon between Melissa and himself, respecting his visiting her on the morrow; "after which (he said) we will discourse further on the subject."]

In the meantime, Theodore proceeded on the morrow, to make his intended visit. As he approached the house, he saw Alida sitting in a shady recess at one end of the garden, near which the road pa.s.sed. She was leaning with her head upon her hand in a pensive posture; a deep dejection was depicted upon her features, which enlivened into a transient glow as soon as she saw Theodore. She arose, met him, and invited him into the house.

[_A&M_:

The next day Alonzo repaired to the house of Melissa's father. As he approached he saw Melissa sitting in a shady recess at one end of the garden near which the road pa.s.sed. She was leaning with her head upon her hand, in a pensive posture; a deep dejection was depicted upon her features, which enlivened into a transient glow as soon as she saw Alonzo. She arose, met him, and invited him into the house.]

Theodore was received with a cool reserve by all except Alida. Her father saluted him with a distant retiring bow, as he pa.s.sed with her to the parlour. As soon as they were seated, a lady who had lately come to reside some time in the family, (who was a relative of her father's,) entered the room and seated herself by the window, alternately humming a tune and staring at Theodore, without speaking a word.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo was received with a cool reserve by all except Melissa. Her father saluted him with a distant and retiring bow, as he pa.s.sed with Melissa to her room. As soon as they were seated, a maiden aunt, who had doubled her teens, outlived many of her suitors, and who had lately come to reside with the family, entered, and seated herself by the window, alternately humming a tune, and impudently staring at Alonzo, without speaking a word....]

This interruption was not of long continuance. Alida's father entered, and requested the two ladies to withdraw, which was instantly done; he then addressed Theodore as follows:

[_A&M_:

This interruption was not of long continuance. Melissa's father entered, and requested the two ladies to withdraw, which was instantly done. He then addressed Alonzo as follows:]