had been so disposed. Again
she thought, as they had been separated by parental authority, that it
might have its influence to cause him to become altogether forgetful;
and her spirits now sunk under the idea of Theodore's inconstancy.
Bonville continued to speak of him with indifference, observing
attentively how Alida was affected. He inquired earnestly if she had
ever received any intelligence from him, during his absence, (as he
thought he might have written to her brother.) She answered him in the
negative. He expressed his surprise, and after giving many dark
intimations of his perfidy, he changed the subject.

Alida was before this extremely pensive and thoughtful, and these
injurious insinuations of Theodore, increased her dejection. She once
firmly believed she had a friend she could lean upon under all
circumstances, and his falsity appeared to her now confirmed. A kind of
gloomy superstition pervaded her mind, an anxious foreboding of future
evil, which all her pious reflections and reasoning powers could not
wholly control. She endeavoured to repress these painful sensations,
when in the presence of her parents; but the eyes of her father
frequently rested on her in filial anxiety. Her brother likewise would
often observe her innate sadness, and whatever his thoughts might be as
to the cause, he was still reserved, and forebore to name any thing to
his sister.

Although Bonville was sometimes conscious of his injustice towards
Theodore, and felt ashamed of his conduct, he was still determined to
proceed with reiterated calumnies, to the ear of Alida, with the hope to
ensure to himself her hand before Theodore would probably return to
America.

L' innocenza a e costretta a sofferire, talvolta le piu crudeli
persecuzioni; ma, con vergogna e con danno della calumnia e della
malvagita, alla fine pur ne trionfa.

The appearance of Bonville was imposing to look upon, his countenance
illumined by seeming sincerity and candour, no one could retain an idea
for any length of time, that was altogether detrimental. To a
treacherous heart, he joined a frankness of manner which amused and
interested every one in his favour. Though no one was ever more careless
of his veracity, yet he carried the appearance of authenticity in all he
said. He had never been used to restraint or disappointment, by the
silly indulgence of his parents, and seemed confident that he should
succeed in all his particular wishes, and t