tune, the preference was given to you, and I retired in
silence. From coincidence of circumstances, her father has now been
induced to give the preference to me. My belief was that Melissa
would comply with her father's will, especially after her prospects
of connecting with you were cut off by the events which ruined your
fortune. You, Alonzo, have yet, I find, to learn the character of
women. It has been my particular study. Melissa, now ardently
impassioned by first impressions, irritated by recent
disappointment, her passions delicate and vivid, her affections
animated and unmixed, it would be strange, if she could suddenly
relinquish primitive attachments founded on such premises, without a
struggle. But remove her from your presence one year, with only
distant and uncertain prospects of seeing you again, admit me as the
substitute in your absence, and she accepts my hand as freely as she
would now receive yours. I had no design--it was never my wish to
marry her without her consent. That I believe I shall yet obtain.
Under existing circumstances it is impossible, but that you must be
separated for some considerable time. Then--when cool deliberation
succeeds to the wild vagaries, the electric fire of frolic fancy,
she will discover the dangerous precipice, the deadly abyss to which
her present conduct and inclinations lead.... She will prefer
indifference and splendor to love and a cottage.]

"At present I relinquish all further pursuit; to-morrow I shall return
home. When Alida, from calm deliberation, and the advice of friends,
shall freely consent to yield me her hand, I shall return to receive it.
I came from my lodgings this evening to declare these intentions to her
father; but it being later than I was aware of, the family had gone to
rest. I was about to return, but, looking back again at the house, to
see if I could descry a light, I stood a moment by the garden gate, when
you approached and discovered me." So saying, he bade Theodore good
night, and walked hastily away.

[_A&M_:

"At present I relinquish all further pursuit; to-morrow I return to
New London. When Melissa, from calm deliberation and the advice of
friends, shall freely consent to yield me her hand, I shall return
to receive it. I came from my lodgings this evening to declare these
intentions to her father, but it being later than I was aware of,
the family had gone to rest. I was