it possible my father can be so cruel!
Is he so unfeeling as to banish me from his house, and confine me within
the walls of a prison, like a common malefactor?" She flung herself on
the bed in a state little inferior to distraction. Her aunt told her it
was all owing to her own obstinacy, and because she refused to be made
happy--and went to preparing supper.

Melissa heard none of her aunt's observations; she lay in a stupifying
agony, insensible to all that passed. When supper was ready, her aunt
endeavoured to arouse her. She started up, stared around her with a wild
agonizing countenance, but spoke not a word. Her aunt became alarmed.
She applied stimulants to her temples and forehead, and persuaded her to
take some cordials. She remained seemingly insensible through the night:
just at morning, she fell into a slumber, interrupted by incoherent
moanings, convulsive startings, long drawn sighs, intermitting sobs, and
by frequent, sudden and restless turnings from side to side. At length
she appeared to be in a calm and quiet sleep for about an hour. About
sunrise she awoke--her aunt sat by her bed side. She gazed languidly
about the room, and burst into tears. She wept a long time; her aunt
strove to console her, for she truly began to tremble, lest Melissa's
distress should produce her immediate dissolution. Towards night,
however, she became more calm and resigned; but a slight fever
succeeded, which kept her confined for several days, after which she
slowly recovered.

* * * * *

John came frequently to the house to receive the commands of Melissa's
aunt, and brought such things as they wanted. Her aunt also sometimes
went home with him, leaving the keys of the house with Melissa, but
locking the gate and taking the key of that with her. She generally
returned before sunset. When Melissa was so far recovered as to walk
out, she found that the house was situated on an eminence, about one
hundred yards from the Sound. The yard was large and extensive. Within
the enclosure was a spacious garden, now overrun with brambles and
weeds. A few medinical and odoriferous herbs were scattered here and
there, and a few solitary flowers overtopped the tangling briars below;
but there was plenty of fruit on the shrubbery and trees. The out
buildings were generally in a ruinous situation. The cemetery was the
most perfect, as it was built of hewn stone and marble, and had best
withstood the rava