ed to the evening breeze. Farther on, low vallies spread
their umbrageous thickets, where the dusky shadows of night had
begun to assemble. On high hills beyond, the tops of lofty forests,
majestically moved by the billowy gales, caught the sun's last ray.
Fleecy summer clouds hovered around the verge of the western
horizon, spangled with silvery tints or fringed with the gold of
evening.]

A mournfully murmuring rivulet purled at a little distance from the
garden, on the borders of a small grove, from whence the American wild
dove wafted her sympathetic moaning to the ear of Alida. She was leaning
on a small table as she sat by the window, which was thrown up. Her
attention was fixed. She did not perceive Raymond and Theodore as they
entered. They advanced towards her; she turned, started, and arose. With
a melancholy smile she said she supposed it was Mrs. Raymond who was
approaching, as she had just left the room. Her countenance was
dejected, which, on seeing Theodore, lighted up into a languid
sprightliness. It was evident she had been weeping. Raymond retired, and
Theodore and Alida seated themselves.

[_A&M_:

A mournfully murmuring rivulet purled at a little distance from the
garden, on the borders of a small grove, from whence the American
wild dove wafted her sympathetic moaning to the ear of Melissa. She
sat leaning on a small table by the window, which was thrown up. Her
attention was fixed. She did not perceive Vincent and Alonzo as they
entered. They advanced towards her. She turned, started, and arose.
With a melancholy smile, and tremulous voice, "I supposed (she said)
that it was Mrs. Vincent who was approaching, as she has just left
the room." Her countenance appeared dejected, which on seeing
Alonzo, lighted up into a languid sprightliness. It was evident she
had been weeping.

Vincent retired and Alonzo and Melissa seated themselves by the
window.]

"I have broken in upon your solitude, perhaps too unseasonably," said
Theodore. It is however the fault of Raymond; he invited me to walk into
the room, but did not inform me that you were alone.

"Your presence was sudden and unexpected, but not unseasonable," replied
Alida. I hope that you did not consider any formality necessary in your
visits, Theodore?

[_A&M_:

"I have broken in upon your solitude, perhaps, too unseasonably
(said Alonzo); it is, however, the fault of Vincent, he invited me