antly done. He then addressed Alonzo as follows:]

"When I gave consent for your union with my daughter, it was on the
conviction that your future resources would be adequate to support her
honourably and independently. Circumstances have since taken place which
render this point extremely doubtful." He paused for a reply, but
Theodore was silent. He continued, "You, perhaps, may say that your
acquirements, your prudence, and your industry, will procure you a
handsome income; but to depend on these altogether for your future
exigencies is hazarding peace, honour, and reputation, at a single game
of chance. If, therefore, you have no resources or expectations but such
as these, your own judgment will teach you the necessity of immediately
relinquishing all pretensions to the hand of Alida, and from this time
to break off all communication with my daughter." He then immediately
left the room.

[_A&M_:

"When I gave consent for you to marry my daughter, it was on the
conviction that your future resources would be adequate to support
her honorably and independently. Circumstances have since taken
place, which render this point extremely doubtful...." He paused for
a reply, but Alonzo was silent. He continued--".... 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,
honor and reputation, at a single game of chance. If, therefore, you
have no resources or expectations 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 Theodore speechless through the whole of this discourse? What
reply could he have made? What were the prospects before him but misery
and wo? Where, indeed, were the means by which Alida was to be shielded
from indigence, if connected with his fortunes?

[_A&M_:

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 at this time with redoubled
anguish. He arose and looked around for Alida, but she was not to