l reserve by all except Alida. Her
father saluted him with a distant retiring bow, as he passed 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.

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:

"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. Circumstances 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
relinquishing 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.

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 shielded
from indigence, 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 passed; it was no more than they both
expected, yet it was a shock their fortitude 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 h