Alida Part 26

But perhaps Beauman was preferred--His opportunities had been greater--He had formed an acquaintance with her. Distance proved no barrier to his addresses. His visits became more and more frequent.

Was it not then highly probable that he had secured her affections?]

Thus reasoned Theodore, but the reasoning tended not to allay the tempest that was gathering in his bosom. He ordered his carriage, and was in a short time at the seat of Alida's father. It was summer, and towards evening when he arrived. Alida was sitting by the window when he entered the hall. She arose and received him with a smile. I have just been thinking of an evening's walk, said she, but had no one to attend me, and you have come just in time to perform that office. I will order tea immediately, while you rest from the fatigues of your journey.

[_A&M_:

Thus reasoned Alonzo, but the reasoning tended not to allay the tempest which was gathering in his bosom. He ordered his horse, and was in a short time at the seat of Melissa's father.

It was summer, and towards evening when he arrived, Melissa was sitting by the window when he entered the hall. She arose and received him with a smile. "I have just been thinking of an evening's walk, (said she) but had no one to attend me, and you have come just in time to perform that office. I will order tea immediately, while you rest from the fatigues of your journey."]

When tea was served up, a servant entered the room with a letter which he had found in the yard. Alida received it. "'Tis a letter," said she, which I sent by Bonville to a lady in the village, and the careless man has lost it. Turning to Theodore, I forgot to tell you, that your friend Bonville has been with us a few days; he left us this morning. "My friend," replied Theodore, hastily. "Is he not your friend?" inquired Alida. "I beg pardon, madam," said he "my mind was absent." "He requested us to present his respects to his friend Theodore," said she.

Theodore bowed and turned the conversation.

[_A&M_:

When tea was served up a servant entered the room with a letter which he had found in the yard. Melissa received it.--"'Tis a letter (said she) which I sent by Beauman, to a lady in New-London, and the careless man has lost it." Turning to Alonzo, "I forgot to tell you that your friend Beauman has been with us a few days; he left us this morning." "My friend!" replied Alonzo hastily. "Is he not your friend?" enquired Melissa. "I beg pardon madam (answered he) my mind was absent." "He requested us to present his respects to his friend Alonzo," said she--Alonzo bowed and turned the conversation.]

They now walked out, and took a winding path which led through pleasant fields until they reached the water, and continued to pursue their way along the sh.o.r.e till they came to a beautiful and shady grove, where the thick foliage afforded a delightful retreat from the warm rays of the sun, and at the extremity of which was a sloping eminence, which commanded an extensive prospect of the surrounding country, part of Long-Island sound and the junction of the bay with the eastern river.

[_A&M_:

They walked out and took a winding path which led along pleasant fields by a gliding stream through a little grove, and up a sloping eminence, which commanded an extensive prospect of the surrounding country, Long Island and the sound between that and the main land, and the opening there off to the distant ocean.]

A soft and silent shower had descended. A thousand transitory gems trembled upon the leafy foliage, glittering in the western ray. A bright rainbow sat upon a southern cloud; the light gales whispered among the branches, agitated the young harvest to billowy motion, and moved the tops of the deep green forest with majestic grandeur; while flocks, herds, and cottages were scattered over the resplendent landscape.

[_A&M_:

A soft and silent shower had descended; a thousand transitory gems trembled upon the foliage glittering in the western ray. A bright rainbow sat upon a southern cloud; the light gales whispered among the branches, agitated the young harvest to billowy motion, or waved the tops of the distant, deep green forest with majestic grandeur.

Flocks, herds and cottages were scattered over the variegated landscape.]

"This is a most delightful scene," said Alida. "It is, truly," replied Theodore, "do you think that New-York can boast of so charming a prospect?" "Yes, one," answered she, it is the walk on the battery, the water prospect is similar to this, but the landscape is not so variegated.

[_A&M_:

.... "This is a most delightful scene," said Melissa.

It is indeed (replied Alonzo,) can New London boast so charming a prospect?]

See that s.h.i.+p, Theodore, coming down the sound, how she ploughs through the white foam, while the breezes flutter in the sails, varying with the vivid rays of the sun. "Yes," said Theodore, it bounds with rapid motions over the waves, and ere the day has departed it will probably safely reach the wharf of the city.

[_A&M_:

Mel. See that s.h.i.+p, Alonzo, coming up the sound; how she ploughs through the white foam, while the breezes flutter among the sails, varying with the beams of the sun.

Al. O yes--the s.h.i.+p--it--it bounds with rapid motion over the waves.]

They walked leisurely around the hill, and then moved slowly towards home. The sun was sinking gradually behind the western horizon. Twilight arose dimly in the east, and floated along the air. Darkness began to hover around the woodlands and valleys. The beauties of the landscape slowly receded; the breezes had gone down with the sun, and a perfect calm succeeded.

[_A&M_:

A pause ensued. They walked leisurely around the hill, and moved toward home. The sun sunk behind the western hills. Twilight arose in the east, and floated along the air. Darkness began to hover around the woodlands and vallies. The beauties of the landscape slowly receded.]

"I shall never forget this charming promenade," said Theodore, as he approached the threshold of the door, with a deep drawn sigh, "and the remembrance of the sweet pensive scenery of this delightful spot, will ever continue to haunt my memory."

[_A&M_ (Melissa speaking):

I shall never forget the sweet pensive scenery of my favorite rock.

"Nor I neither," said Alonzo, with a deep drawn sigh.]

CHAPTER VIII.

To lull affection's sigh, And dry the tear of sensibility; I'll think of thee, in all my lonely hours, Though thou, perhaps, may ne'er remember me.

[_NY Weekly_: Stanzas Addressed to a Young Lady, stz. 4.1-4:

To lull the heart-rent pang of Nature's sigh, And dry the tear of sensibility, In these lone solitary wilds I'll call on thee, Whilst thou, perhaps, wilt ne'er remember me.]

The next day Theodore returned to his studies; but different from his former visits to Alida, instead of exhilarating his spirits, this had tended to depress them. He doubted whether she was not already engaged to Bonville. His hopes would persuade him this was not the case; but his fears declared otherwise.

[_A&M_:

The next day Alonzo returned to his studies; but different from his former visits to Melissa, instead of exhilarating his spirits, this had tended to depress them. He doubted whether Melissa was not already engaged to Beauman. His hopes would persuade him that this was not the case; but his fears declared otherwise.]

It was some time before he renewed his visits again. In the interim he received a letter from a friend in the neighbourhood of Alida's father; an extract from which follows: "We are soon to have a wedding here; you are acquainted with the parties--Alida M. and Bonville. Such at least is our opinion from appearances, as this gentleman is now there more than half his time. You will undoubtedly be invited. We had expected that you would have put in your claims, from your particular attention to the lady. She is a fine girl, Theodore." I shall never be a guest at Alida's wedding, said Theodore, as he hastily paced the room; but I must again see her before that event takes place, when I shall lose her forever.

[_A&M_:

It was some time before Alonzo renewed his visit. In the interim he received a letter from a friend in the neighbourhood of Melissa's father; an extract from which, follows:

"We are soon to have a wedding here; you are acquainted with the parties--Melissa D.---- and Beauman. Such at least is our opinion from appearances, as Beauman is now here more than half his time.

You will undoubtedly be a guest. We had expected that you would have put in your claims, from your particular attention to the lady. She is a fine girl, Alonzo."

"I shall never be a guest at Melissa's wedding," said Alonzo, as he hastily paced the room, "but I must once again see her before that event takes place, when I lose her forever."]

The ensuing day he repaired to her father's. He inquired for Alida; she was gone with a party to the sh.o.r.es of the sound, attended by Bonville.

At evening they returned. Bonville and Theodore addressed each other with much seeming cordiality. "You have deserted us, Theodore," said Alida, "we concluded you had forgotten the road to this place." "Was not that a hasty conclusion?" said Theodore. "I think not," she answered, "if your long absence should be construed into neglect. But we will hear your excuse," said she, smiling, "by and by, and perhaps pardon you."

[_A&M_:

The next day he repaired to her father's. He enquired for Melissa, she was gone with a party to the sh.o.r.es of the sound, attended by Beauman. At evening they returned. Beauman and Alonzo addressed each other with much seeming cordiality. "You have deceived us, Alonzo, (said Melissa)--We concluded you had forgotten the road to this place." "Was not that a hasty conclusion?" replied Alonzo. "I think not, she answered, if your long absence should be construed into neglect. But we will hear your excuse (said she smiling) by and by, and perhaps pardon you."]

He thanked her for her condescension.

[_A&M_: