d me that young madam had behaved very
indiscreetly, and she found fault with me for leaving the keys in her
possession, though I did not know that any harm could arise from it.
From the discourse which my wife and I afterwards overheard between
madam and the strange gentleman, I understood that young madam had been
sent to reside with some friend or relation at a great distance, because
her father wanted her to marry a man, and she wishes to marry somebody
else." From John's plain and simple narrative, Alonzo concluded that
Melissa had been removed by her father's order, or through the agency,
or instigation of her aunt. Whether his visit to the old mansion had
been somehow discovered or suspected, or whether she was removed by some
preconcerted or antecedent plan, he could not conjecture.--Still, the
situation in which he found the mansion the night he went to convey her
away, left an inexplicable impression on his mind. He could in no manner
account how the candle could be placed at the window according to
agreement, unless it had been done by herself; and if so, how had she so
suddenly been conveyed away?

Alonzo asked John where Melissa's aunt now was.

"She left here yesterday morning, he answered, with the strange
gentleman I mentioned, on a visit to some of her friends."

"Was the strange gentleman you speak of her brother?" asked Alonzo.

"I believe not, replied John, smiling and winking to his wife;--I know
not who he was; somebody that madam seems to like pretty well."

"Have you the care of the old mansion?" said Alonzo.

"Yes, answered John, I have the keys; I will accompany you thither,
perhaps you would like to purchase it; madam said yesterday she thought
she should sell it."

Alonzo told him he had no thoghts of purchasing, thanked him for his
information, and departed.

Convinced now that Melissa was removed by the agency of her persecutors,
he compared the circumstances of John's relation. "She had been sent to
reside with some friend or relation at a great distance." This great
distance, he believed to be New London, and her friend or relation, her
cousin, at whose house Alonzo first saw her, under whose care she would
be safe, and Beauman would have an opportunity of renewing his
addresses. Under these impressions, Alonzo did not long hesitate what
course to pursue--he determined to repair to New London immediately.

In pursuance of his design he went to his father's. He found the old
gent