er 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.

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.

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."

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.

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

"Again the youth his wonted life regain'd,
A transient sparkle in his eye obtain'd,
A bright, impassion'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!"

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