nfant children, pining in misery for want of
bread? And what else have you to expect if you marry in your present
situation? You have friends and well wishers; but which of them will
advance you four or five thousand pounds, as a gratuity? My daughter
must be supported according to her rank and standing in life. Are you
enabled to do this? If not, you cannot reasonably suppose that I shall
consent to your marrying her. You may say that your acquirements, your
prudence, and your industry, will procure you a handsome support. This
well may do in single life; but to depend on these for the future
exigencies of a family, is hazarding peace, honour and reputation, at a
single game of chance. If, therefore, you have no resources or
expectation but such as these, your own judgment will teach you the
necessity of immediately relinquishing all pretensions to the hand of
Melissa"--and immediately left the room.

Why was Alonzo speechless through the whole of this discourse?--What
reply could he have made? What were the prospects before him but penury,
want, misery, and woe! Where, indeed, were the means by which Melissa
was to be shielded from poverty, if connected with his fortunes. The
idea was not new, but it came upon him with redoubled anguish. He arose
and looked around for Melissa, but she was not to be seen. He left the
house, and walked slowly towards Vincent's. At a little distance he met
Melissa, who had been strolling in an adjoining avenue. He informed her
of all that had passed; it was no more than they both expected, yet it
was a shock their fortitude could scarcely sustain. Disappointment
seldom finds her votaries prepared to receive her.

Melissa told Alonzo, that her father's determinations were unchangeable;
that his sister (the before mentioned maiden lady) held a considerable
influence over him, and dictated the concerns of the family; and that
from her, there was nothing to hope in their favour. Her mother, she
said, was her friend, but could not contradict the will of her father.
Her brother would be at home in a few days; how he would act on this
occasion she was unable to say: but were he even their friend he would
have but feeble influence with her father and aunt. "What is to be the
end of these troubles, continued Melissa, it is impossible to foresee.
Let us trust in the mercy of heaven and submit to its dispensations."

Alonzo and Melissa, in their happier days, had, when absent,
corresponded by let