nd the advice of
friends, shall freely consent to yield me her hand, I shall return to
receive it. I came from my lodgings this evening to declare these
intentions to her father; but it being later than I was aware of, the
family had gone to rest. I was about to return, but, looking back again
at the house, to see if I could descry a light, I stood a moment by the
garden gate, when you approached and discovered me." So saying, he bade
Theodore good night, and walked hastily away.

"I find he knows not the character of Alida," said Theodore, as he
pursued his way to Raymond's. When he arrived at the house of his
friend, he related all that had passed between himself and Bonville; and
from what he related, the Raymonds concluded that Alida must be watched
and guarded.

CHAPTER XIII.

Friendship! thou sovereign balm of every care.
When all serene and placidly appear;
Domestic happiness! of that possessed,
Then may we leave to Providence the rest.

The father of Alida now thought proper to enter into a second marriage.
A lady of worth and understanding had wrought upon his fancy, and won
his particular regards. Her elegance of manner and dignified deportment
engaged general attention; and although she was rather advanced in life,
yet "the remains of former beauty were still visible in her appearance."

She was honourably descended from English parents, who had resided in
New-York since the revolution. Her father had been actively engaged in
business there, which had been ultimately crowned with the successful
gifts of fortune.

Her education had been governed by the strictness of the English
discipline. A foundation laid in early piety continued to influence her
mind with unaffected ardour, blended with a generous benevolence, the
genuine effects of the inexhaustible goodness of her heart. She was one
who manifested to the world that a "doer of good" is far preferable to
any other character, and in a superlative degree above those who
maintain high principles in theory, without ever once reducing them to
practice.

This lady had an only sister, who married a native of Ireland, and after
the course of a few years went to reside there, where she had recently
died. The children returned to this country, having lost their father
long before, and several of her nephews now resided in the city. Having
been always accustomed to reside in town herself, where her many
excellent qualities had endeared her to