ng this, I have inflicted a wound still deeper in my own
bosom."

Alonzo desired him not to renew his sorrows. "What is past, said he, is
beyond recal; but a subject of some importance to me, is the object of
my present visit.--True it is, that your daughter was the object of my
earliest affection--an affection which my bosom must ever retain; but
being separated by the will of Providence--for I view Providence as
overruling all events for wise purposes--I betook myself to travel.
Time, you know it is said, sir, will blunt the sharpest thorns of
sorrow.--[The old man sighed.]----In my travels I have found a lady so
nearly resembling your daughter, that I was induced to sue for her hand,
and have been so happy as to gain the promise of it. The favour I have
to ask of you, sir, is only that you will permit the marriage ceremony
to be celebrated in your house, as you know my father is poor, his house
small and inconvenient, and that you will also honour me by giving the
lady away. In receiving her from your hands, I shall in some measure
realize former anticipations; I shall receive her in the character of
Melissa."

"Ah! said Melissa's father, were it in my power--could I but give you
the original; But how vain that wish! Yes, my young friend, your request
shall be punctually complied with: I will take upon myself the
preparations. Name your day, and if the lady is portionless, in that she
shall be to me a Melissa."

Alonzo bowed his head in gratitude; and after appointing that day week,
he departed.

Invitations were once more sent abroad for the wedding of Alonzo and
Melissa.--Few indeed knew it to be the real Melissa, but they were
generally informed of Alonzo's reasons for preferring the celebration at
her father's.

The evening before the day on which the marriage was to take place,
Alonzo and Melissa were sitting with the Vincents in an upper room, when
a person rapped at the door below. Vincent went down, and immediately
returned, introducing, to the joy and surprise of the company, Edgar!

Here, again, we shall leave it for the imagination to depict the scene
of an affectionate brother, meeting a tender and only sister, whom he
had long since supposed to be dead! He had been at his father's, and his
mother had let him into the secret, when he immediately hastened to
Vincent's. He told them that he did not stay long in Holland; that after
receiving Alonzo's letter from Paris, he felt an unconquerable
propen