rejecting it; and when she finally named the day of decision, he was
confident she would decide in his favor. These sentiments he had
communicated to the person who had written to Alonzo, intimating
that Melissa had fixed a time which was to crown his happiest
wishes.

He had listened, therefore, attentively to the words of Melissa's
father, momentarily expecting to hear himself declared the favorite
choice of the fair.

What then must have been his disappointment when the name of Alonzo
was pronounced instead of his own! The highly finished scene of
pleasure and future prosperity which his ardent imagination had
depicted, had vanished in a moment. The rain-bow glories which
gilded his youthful horizon, had faded in an instant--the bright sun
of his early hopes, had set in mournful darkness.]

Very different were the sensations which inspired the bosom of Theodore.
He had not even calculated on a decision in his favour; he believed that
Bonville would be the choice of Alida. She had told him, that the form
of deciding was necessary to save appearances; with this form he
complied, because she desired it, not because he expected the result
would be in his favour. He had not, therefore, attended to the words of
Alida's father with that eagerness which favourable anticipations
commonly produce.

[_A&M_:

Very different were the sensations which inspired the bosom of
Alonzo. He had not even calculated on a decision in his own favor.
He believed that Beauman would be the choice of Melissa. She had
told him that the form of decision was necessary to save
appearances--with this form he complied because she desired it, not
because he expected the result would be in his favor. He had not
therefore attended to the words of Melissa's father with that
eagerness which favorable anticipations commonly produce.]

But when his name was mentioned; when he found that he was the choice,
the happy favourite of Alida's affection, every ardent feeling of his
soul became interested, and was suddenly aroused to the refinements of
sensibility. Like an electric shock it re-animated his existence, and
the bright morning of joy quickly dissipated the gloom which hung over
his mind.

[_A&M_:

But when his name was mentioned--when he found he was the
choice--the happy favorite of Melissa's affection--every tender
passion of his soul became interested, and was suddenly aroused to
th