Alida Part 35

"When I gave consent for your union with my daughter, it was on the conviction that your future resources would be adequate to support her honourably and independently. Circ.u.mstances have since taken place which render this point extremely doubtful." He paused for a reply, but Theodore was silent. He continued, "You, perhaps, may say that your acquirements, your prudence, and your industry, will procure you a handsome income; but to depend on these altogether for your future exigencies is hazarding peace, honour, and reputation, at a single game of chance. If, therefore, you have no resources or expectations but such as these, your own judgment will teach you the necessity of immediately relinquis.h.i.+ng all pretensions to the hand of Alida, and from this time to break off all communication with my daughter." He then immediately left the room.

[_A&M_:

"When I gave consent for you to marry my daughter, it was on the conviction that your future resources would be adequate to support her honorably and independently. Circ.u.mstances have since taken place, which render this point extremely doubtful...." He paused for a reply, but Alonzo was silent. He continued--".... You may say that your acquirements, your prudence, and your industry will procure you a handsome support. This well may do in single life, but to depend on these for the future exigencies of a family, is hazarding peace, honor and reputation, at a single game of chance. If, therefore, you have no resources or expectations but such as these, your own judgment will teach you the necessity of immediately relinquis.h.i.+ng all pretensions to the hand of Melissa"--and immediately left the room.]

Why was Theodore speechless through the whole of this discourse? What reply could he have made? What were the prospects before him but misery and wo? Where, indeed, were the means by which Alida was to be s.h.i.+elded from indigence, if connected with his fortunes?

[_A&M_:

Why was Alonzo speechless through the whole of this discourse?--What reply could he have made? what were the prospects before him but penury, want, misery and woe! Where, indeed, were the means by which Melissa was to be s.h.i.+elded from poverty, if connected with his fortunes.]

The idea was not new, but it came upon him at this time with redoubled anguish. He arose and looked around for Alida, but she was not to be seen. He left the house and walked slowly towards Raymond's. At a little distance he met Alida who had been strolling in an adjoining avenue. He informed her of all that had pa.s.sed; it was no more than they both expected, yet it was a shock their fort.i.tude could scarcely sustain.

Disappointment seldom finds her votaries prepared to receive her.

[_A&M_:

The idea was not new, but it came upon him with redoubled anguish.

He arose and looked around for Melissa, but she was not to be seen.

He left the house, and walked slowly towards Vincent's. At a little distance he met Melissa, who had been strolling in an adjoining avenue. He informed her of all that had pa.s.sed; it was no more than they both expected, yet it was a shock their fort.i.tude could scarcely sustain. Disappointment seldom finds her votaries prepared to receive her.]

Alida told Theodore that she knew her father's determinations were altogether unchangeable at present. Her brother, she said, would be at home in a few days; how he would act on this occasion, she was unable to say; but were he ever so far their friend, he would have but feeble influence with her father. "What is to be the end of these troubles,"

continued she, it is impossible to foresee. Let us trust in the mercy of Heaven, and submit to its dispensations.

[_A&M_:

Melissa told Alonzo, that her father's determinations were unchangeable.... Her brother would be at home in a few days; how he would act on this occasion she was unable to say: but were he even their friend he would have but feeble influence with her father and aunt. "What is to be the end of these troubles [continued Melissa]

it is impossible to foresee; let us trust in the mercy of heaven and submit to its dispensations."]

Theodore and Alida, in their happier days, had, when absent from each other, corresponded. This method it was now thought best to resume. It was agreed, besides, that Theodore should frequently visit Raymond's, and Alida would resort there also, as she should find opportunity.

Having concluded on this, Alida returned home, and Theodore to the house of his friend.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo and Melissa, in their happier days had, when absent, corresponded by letters. This method it was now thought best to relinquish.--It was agreed that Alonzo should come frequently to Vincent's, where Melissa would meet him as she could find opportunities. Having concluded on this, Melissa returned home, and Alonzo to the house of his friend.

The next morning Theodore repaired to the dwelling where his aged parents now resided. His bosom throbbed with keen anguish when he arrived there: his own fate unconnected with that of Alida. His father was absent when he first reached home, but returned soon after. A beam of joy gleamed upon his countenance as he entered the house. "Were it not, Theodore, for your unhappy situation," said he, "we should once more be restored to peace and happiness. A few persons who were indebted to me, finding that I was to be sacrificed by my unfeeling creditors, reserved those debts in their hands, and have now paid me, amounting to something more than five thousand pounds. With this I can live as well and conveniently as I could wish, and can spare some for your present exigencies, Theodore."

[_A&M_:

The next morning Alonzo returned to the hut where his aged parents now dwelt. His bosom throbbed with keen anguish. His own fate, unconnected with that of Melissa, he considered of little consequence. But their united situation tortured his soul....

Alonzo's father was absent when he arrived, but returned soon after.

A beam of joy gleamed upon his withered countenance as he entered the house. "Were it not, Alonzo, for your unhappy situation, [said he] we should once more be restored to peace and comfort. A few persons who were indebted to me, finding that I was to be sacrificed by my unfeeling creditors, reserved those debts in their hands, and have now paid me, amounting to something more than five hundred pounds. With this I have purchased a small, but well cultivated farm, with convenient tenements. I have enough left to purchase what stock and other materials I need, and to spare some for your present exigencies, Alonzo."]

Theodore thanked his father for his kindness, but told him that from his former liberality, he had yet sufficient for all his wants. "But your affair with Alida," asked his father, "how is that likely to terminate?"

"Favourably, I hope, sir," answered Theodore.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo thanked his father for his kindness; but told him that from his former liberality he had yet sufficient for his wants, and that he should soon find business which would amply support him. "But your affair with Melissa, [asked his father] how is that likely to terminate?" "Favorably, I hope, sir," answered Alonzo.]

He could not consent to disturb the happy tranquillity of his parents by reciting his own wretchedness. He pa.s.sed a week with them. He saw them once more comfortably seated at a calm retreat in the country; he saw them serenely blest in the pleasures of returning peace, and a ray of joy illumined his troubled bosom.

[_A&M_:

He could not consent to disturb the tranquility of his parents by reciting his own wretchedness.

A week pa.s.sed away. Alonzo saw his parents removed to their little farm, which was to be managed by his father and a hired man. He saw them comfortably seated; he saw them serenely blest in the calm pleasures of returning peace, and a ray of joy illuminated his troubled bosom.]

[[The 1804 newspaper serial has "illumined", while all known book versions have "illuminated".]]

"Again the youth his wonted life regain'd, A transient sparkle in his eye obtain'd, A bright, impa.s.sion'd, cheering glow express'd The pleas'd sensation of his tender breast: But soon dark gloom the feeble smiles o'erspread; Like morn's gay hues, the fading splendours fled; Returning anguish froze his feeling soul; Deep sighs burst forth, and tears began to roll!"

[_A&M_:

"Again the youth his wonted life regain'd, A transient sparkle in his eye obtain'd, A bright, impa.s.sion'd cheering glow express'd, The pleas'd sensation of his tender breast: But soon dark glooms the feeble smiles o'erspread; Like morn's gay hues, the fading splendors fled; Returning anguish froze his feeling soul, Deep sighs burst forth, and tears began to roll."]

[[This unidentified verse is also quoted in the later _Memoirs of the Notorious Stephen Burroughs, 1765-1840_ with different lines 3 and 4]]

His memory dwelt on Alida, from whom he had heard nothing since he had last seen her. He thought of the difficulties with which he was surrounded. He thought of the barriers which were now opposed to their happiness; and he immediately set out for the house of Raymond. He arrived at his residence near the close of the day. Raymond and his lady were at tea, with several young ladies that had pa.s.sed the afternoon there. Theodore cast an active glance at the company, in hopes to see Alida among them, but she was not there. He was invited, and took a seat at table.

[_A&M_:

He thought of Melissa, from whom he had heard nothing since he last saw her. He thought of the difficulties which surrounded him. He thought of the barriers which were opposed to his happiness and the felicity of Melissa, and he set out for the house of Vincent.

Alonzo arrived at the residence of Vincent near the close of the day. Vincent and his lady were at tea with several young ladies who had pa.s.sed the afternoon with Mrs. Vincent. Alonzo cast an active glance around the company, in hopes to find Melissa, but she was not there. He was invited and accepted a seat at table.]

After tea was over, Raymond led Theodore into an adjoining room. "You have come in good time," said he. "Something speedily must be done, or you lose Alida forever. The day after you were here, her father received a letter from Bonville, in which, after mentioning the circ.u.mstances of your father's insolvency, he hinted that the consequence would probably be a failure of her proposed marriage with you, which might essentially injure the reputation of a lady of her standing in life; to prevent which, and to place her beyond the reach of calumny, he offered to marry her at any appointed day, provided he had her free consent.

[_A&M_:

After tea Vincent led him into an adjoining room.--"You have come in good time, [said he] something must speedily be done, or you lose Melissa forever. The day after you were here, her father received a letter from Beauman, in which, after mentioning the circ.u.mstance of your father's insolvency, he hinted that the consequence would probably be a failure of her proposed marriage with you, which might essentially injure the reputation of a lady of her standing in life; to prevent which, and to place her beyond the reach of calumny, he offered to marry her at any appointed day, provided he had her free consent.]

As Bonville, by the recent death of his father, had been put in possession of a splendid fortune, the proposition might possibly allure the father of Alida, to use his endeavour to bring his daughter to yield implicit obedience to his wishes.

[_A&M_:

"As Beauman, by the recent death of his father, had been put in possession of a splendid fortune, the proposition allured her father, who wrote him a complaisant answer, with an invitation to his house. He then strove to extort a promise from Melissa, that she would break off all connexion with you, see you no more, and admit the addresses of Beauman.]

Were he to command her to live single, it might be endured; but if he should endeavour to persuade her to discard you from her thoughts entirely, and to give her hand to a person she could have no esteem for, would be to perjure those principles of truth and justice, which he himself had ever taught her to hold most inviolable. To add to Alida's distress, Bonville arrived there yesterday, and, I hope in some measure to alleviate it, Albert, her brother, came this morning. Mrs. Raymond has despatched a message to inform Alida of your arrival, and to desire her to come here immediately. She will undoubtedly comply with the invitation, if not prevented by something extraordinary."

[_A&M_:

.... Were he to command her to live single, life might be endured; but to give her hand to any except you, would be to perjure those principles of truth and justice which he himself had ever taught her to hold most inviolable.... To add to Melissa's distress, Beauman arrived at her father's yesterday; and I hope, in some measure to alleviate it, Edgar her brother came this morning.--Mrs. Vincent has dispatched a message to inform Melissa of your arrival, and to desire her to come here immediately. She will undoubtedly comply with the invitation, if not prevented by something extraordinary.]

Mrs. Raymond now came to the door of the room, and beckoned to her husband, who went out, but soon returned, leading in Alida, after which he retired. "Oh, Theodore," was all she could say, her further utterance was interrupted by her tears. Theodore led her to a seat, and overcome by sadness was unable to speak. Recovering at length, he begged her to moderate her grief.

[_A&M_: