e forest glen, through
which the moon darted her silvery intercepted rays. His agitated
thoughts preyed upon his peace incessantly, and deeply disturbed his
repose.

He looked anxiously to the hour when Alida was to make the decision. He
wished, yet dreaded the event. In that he foresaw, or thought he
foresaw, a withering blight to all his hopes, and a final consummation
to his foreboding fears. He had pressed Alida, perhaps too urgently, to
a declaration. Had her predilection been in his favour, would she have
hesitated to avow it? Her father had advised her to relinquish one, and
to retain the other, nor had he attempted to influence or direct her
choice. Was it not evident, then, from her confused hesitation and
embarrassment, when solicited to discriminate upon the subject, that her
ultimate decision would be in favour of Bonville?

While Theodore's mind was thus in agitation, he received a second letter
from his friend in the neighbourhood of Alida. He read the following
clause therein with emotions more easily to be conceived than expressed:
"Alida's wedding-day is appointed. I need not tell you that Bonville is
to be the happy deity of the hymenial sacrifice. I had it from his own
declaration. He did not name the positive day, but it is certainly to be
soon. You will undoubtedly, however, have timely notice, and receive an
invitation."

"We must pour out a liberal libation upon the mystic altar, Theodore,
and twine the nuptial garland with wreaths of joy. Bonville should
devote a rich offering to so valuable a prize. He has been here for a
week, and departed for New-York yesterday, but is shortly to return."

And why have I ever doubted this event? said Theodore. What infatuation
hath then led me on in the pursuit of fantastic and unreal bliss? I have
had, it is true, no positive assurances that Alida would be disposed to
favour my addresses. But why did she ever receive them? Why did she
enchantingly smile upon me? Why fascinate the soft powers of my heart by
that winning mildness, and the favourable display of those complicated
and superior attractions which she must have known were irresistible?
And now she would have me dance attendance to her decision in favour of
another--insulting; let Bonville and herself make it, as they have
formed this farcical decision. I absolutely will never attend it. Why
did she not spurn me from her confidence, and plainly tell me that my
attentions were untimely and improper