re with her aunt," replied Alonzo.

"She was there last night, answered John; her aunt is gone into the
country and has not returned."

Alonzo then told him the situation of the mansion, and that she was not
there. John informed him that she was there about sunset, and according
to her request he had left the keys of the gate and bridge with her:
he desired Alonzo to tarry there until he ran to the mansion.

He returned in about half an hour. "She is gone, sure enough, said John;
but how, or where, it is impossible for me to guess."--Convinced that he
knew nothing of the matter, Alonzo left him and returned to Vincent's.

Vincent and his lady were much surprised at Alonzo's account of
Melissa's sudden disappearance, and they wished to ascertain whether her
father's family knew any thing of the circumstance. Social intercourse
had become suspended between the families of Vincent and Melissa's
father, as the latter had taxed the former of improperly endeavouring to
promote the views of Alonzo. They therefore procured a neighbouring
woman to visit Melissa's mother, to see if any information could be
obtained concerning Melissa; but the old lady had heard nothing of her
since her departure with her aunt, who had never yet returned.--Alonzo
left Vincent's and went to Mr. Simpson's. He told them all that had
happened since he was there, of which, before, they had heard nothing.
At the houses of Mr. Simpson and Vincent he resided some time, while
they made the most dilligent search to discover Melissa; but nothing
could be learned of her fate.

Alonzo then travelled into various parts of the country, making such
enquiries as caution dictated of all whom he thought likely to give him
information;--but he found none who could give him the least
intelligence of his lost Melissa.

In the course of his wanderings he passed near the old mansion house
where Melissa had been confined. He felt an inclination once more to
visit it: he proceeded over the bridge, which was down, but he found the
gate locked. He therefore hurried back and went to John's, whom he found
at home. On enquiring of John whether he had yet heard any thing of the
young lady and her aunt; "All I know of the matter, said John, is, that
two days after you were here, her aunt came back with a strange
gentleman, and ordered me to go and fetch the furniture away from the
room they had occupied in the old mansion. I asked her what had become
of young madam. She tol