icult to determine, replied Melissa. Should my father
expressly forbid our union, he will go all lengths to carry his commands
into effect. Although a tender parent, he is violent in his prejudices,
and resolute in his purposes. I would advise you to call at my father's
house tomorrow, with your usual freedom. Whatever may be the event,
I shall deal sincerely with you. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent are now my only
confidants. From them you will be enabled to obtain information, should
I be debarred from seeing you. I am frequently here; they told me they
expected you, but at what day was not known. Mrs. Vincent has been my
friend and associate from my earliest years. Vincent you know. In them
we can place the utmost confidence. My reliance on Providence, I trust,
will never be shaken; but my future prospects, at present, are dark and
gloomy."

"Let us not despair, answered Alonzo; perhaps those gloomy clouds which
now hover around us, will yet be dissipated by the bright beams of joy.
Innocence and virtue are the cares of Heaven. There lies my hope.
To-morrow, as you propose, I will call at your father's."

Melissa now prepared to return home; a whippoorwill tuned its nightly
song at a little distance; but the sound, late so cheerful and
sprightly, now passed heavily over their hearts.

When Alonzo returned, Vincent unfolded the plan he had projected.
"No sooner, said he, was I informed of your misfortunes, than I was
convinced that Melissa's father would endeavour to dissolve your
intended union with his daughter. I have known him many years, and
however he may dote on his children, or value their happiness, he will
not hesitate to sacrifice his other feelings to the acquirement of
riches. It appeared that you had but one resource left. You and Melissa
are now united by the most solemn ties--by every rite except those which
are merely ceremonial. These I would advise you to enter into, and trust
to the consequences. Mrs. Vincent has proposed the scheme to Melissa;
but implicitly accustomed to filial obedience, she shudders at the idea
of a clandestine marriage. But when her father shall proceed to rigorous
measures, she will, I think, consent to the alternative. And this
measure, once adopted, her father must consent also; or, if not, you
secure your own happiness, and, what you esteem more, that of Melissa."

"But you must be sensible of my inability to support her as she
deserves, replied Alonzo, even should she consent to