ame table, a table prepared by her own hand, in a lonely mansion,
separated from society, and no one to interrupt them. After innumerable
difficulties, troubles and perplexities; after vexing embarrassments,
and a cruel separation, they were once more together, and for some time
every other consideration was lost. The violence of the storm had not
abated. The lightning still blazed, the thunder bellowed, the wind
roared, the sea raged, the rain poured, mingled with heavy hail: Alonzo
and Melissa heard a little of it. She told him all that had happened to
her since they parted, except the strange noises and awful sights which
had terrified her during her confinement in that solitary building: this
she considered unnecessary and untimely, in her present situation.

Alonzo informed her, that as soon as he had learned the manner in which
she had been sent away, he left the house of Vincent and went to her
father's to see if he could not find out by some of the domestics what
course her aunt had taken. None of them knew any thing about it. He did
not put himself in the way of her father, as he was apprehensive of ill
treatment thereby. He then went to several places among the relatives of
the family where he had heretofore visited with Melissa, most of whom
received him with a cautious coldness. At length he came to the house of
Mr. Simpson, the gentleman to whose seat Alonzo was once driven by a
shower, where he accidentally found Melissa on a visit, as mentioned
before. Here he was admitted with the ardour of friendship. They had
heard his story: Melissa had kept up a correspondence with one of the
young ladies; they were therefore informed of all, except Melissa's
removal from her father's house: of this they knew nothing until told
thereof by Alonzo.

"I am surprised at the conduct of my kinsman, said Mr. Simpson; for
though his determinations are, like the laws of the Medes and Persians,
unalterable, yet I have ever believed that the welfare of his children
lay nearest his heart. In the present instance he is certainly pursuing
a mistaken policy. I will go and see him." He then ordered his horse,
desiring Alonzo to remain at his house until he returned.

Alonzo was treated with the most friendly politeness by the family; he
found that they were deeply interested in his favour and the welfare of
Melissa. At evening Mr. Simpson returned. "It is in vain, said he, to
reason with my kinsman; he is determined that his daught