. There was no alteration in the manners and
conversation of Melissa; her conversation as usual, was sprightly
and interesting. After dinner she retired, and her father requested
Alonzo and Beauman to withdraw with him to a private room. After
they were seated the old gentleman thus addressed them:--]

"I have called you here, gentlemen, to perform my duty as a parent to my
daughter, and as a friend to you. You have both addressed Alida; while
your addresses were merely formal, they were innocent; but when they
became serious, they were dangerous. Your pretensions I consider equal,
and between honourable pretenders, who are worthy of my daughter,
I shall not attempt to influence her choice. That choice, however, can
rest only on one; she has engaged to decide between you. I am come, to
make in her name this decision. The following are my terms: no
difficulty shall arise between you, gentlemen, in consequence of her
determination; nothing shall go abroad respecting the affair; it shall
be settled under my roof. As soon as I have pronounced Alida's
declaration, you shall both depart, and absent my house for at least two
weeks, as it would be improper for my daughter to see either of you at
present; after that period I shall be happy to receive your visits."
Theodore and Bonville pledged their honour to abide implicitly by these
injunctions.

[_A&M_:

"I have called you here, gentlemen, to perform my duty as a parent
to my daughter, and as a friend to you. You are both suitors to
Melissa; while your addresses were merely formal, they were
innocent; but when they became serious they were dangerous. Your
pretensions I consider equal, and between honorable pretenders, who
are worthy of my daughter, I shall not attempt to influence her
choice. That choice, however, can rest only on one: she has engaged
to decide between you. I am come, to make in her name, this
decision.--The following are my terms: No quarrel or difficulty
shall arise between you, gentlemen, in consequence of her
determination. Nothing shall go abroad respecting the affair; it
shall be ended under my roof. As soon as I have pronounced her
declaration, you shall both depart and absent my house, for, at
least, two weeks, as it would be improper for my daughter to see
either of you at present--after that period I shall be happy to
receive your visits." Alonzo and Beauman pledged their honor to
abide implicitly by