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 passed 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.

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 circumstances 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. 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."

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.

"Where," said he, "is your fortitude, and your firmness, Alida, which I
have so often seen triumphing over afflict