of Beauman.]

Were he to command her to live single, it might be endured; but if
he should endeavour to persuade her to discard you from her thoughts
entirely, and to give her hand to a person she could have no esteem for,
would be to perjure those principles of truth and justice, which he
himself had ever taught her to hold most inviolable. To add to Alida's
distress, Bonville arrived there yesterday, and, I hope in some measure
to alleviate it, Albert, her brother, came this morning. Mrs. Raymond
has despatched a message to inform Alida of your arrival, and to desire
her to come here immediately. She will undoubtedly comply with the
invitation, if not prevented by something extraordinary."

[_A&M_:

.... Were he to command her to live single, life might be endured;
but to give her hand to any except you, would be to perjure those
principles of truth and justice which he himself had ever taught her
to hold most inviolable.... To add to Melissa's distress, Beauman
arrived at her father's yesterday; and I hope, in some measure to
alleviate it, Edgar her brother came this morning.--Mrs. Vincent
has dispatched a message to inform Melissa of your arrival, and to
desire her to come here immediately. She will undoubtedly comply
with the invitation, if not prevented by something extraordinary.]

Mrs. Raymond now came to the door of the room, and beckoned to her
husband, who went out, but soon returned, leading in Alida, after which
he retired. "Oh, Theodore," was all she could say, her further utterance
was interrupted by her tears. Theodore led her to a seat, and overcome
by sadness was unable to speak. Recovering at length, he begged her to
moderate her grief.

[_A&M_:

Mrs Vincent now came to the door of the room and beckoned to her
husband, who went out, but immediately returned leading in Melissa
after which he retired. "Oh, Alonzo!" was all she could say, and
burst into tears. Alonzo led her to a seat, gently pressed her hand,
and mingled his tears with hers but was unable to speak. Recovering
at length he begged her to moderate her grief.]

"Where," said he, "is your fortitude, and your firmness, Alida, which I
have so often seen triumphing over affliction?" Her extreme anguish
prevented a reply. Theodore endeavoured to console her, though
consolation was a stranger to his own breast.

[_A&M_:

"Where is your fortitude and your firmness (said he) Melissa, which