face of the Sound was ruffled by the lingering breezes, as they idly
wandered over its surface. Long Island was thinly enveloped in smoky
vapour; scattered along its shores lay the numerous small craft, with
larger ships, of the hostile fleet. A few skiffs were passing and
re-passing the Sound. Several American war-sloops lay on a point which
jutted out from the mainland into the river.

[_A&M_:

The sound was only ruffled by the lingering breezes, as they idly
wandered over its surface. Long-Island, now in possession of the
British troops, was thinly enveloped in smoky vapor; scattered along
its shores lay the numerous small craft and larger ships of the
hostile fleet. A few skiffs were passing and repassing the Sound,
and several American gun-boats lay off a point which jutted out from
the main land, far to the eastward.]

Alida walked leisurely around the yard, contemplating the various
beauties of the scene, the images of departed joys (that she was now
about to leave). The days when Theodore participated with her in
admiring the splendours of rural prospect, raised in her bosom the sigh
of deep regret. She entered the garden, and traced the walks, now
overgrown with weeds and tufted grass. The flower-beds were choked with
the low running brambles, and tall rushes and daisies had usurped the
empire of the kitchen garden. The viny arbour was principally gone to
decay, and the eglantine blushed mournfully along the fences.

[_A&M_:

Melissa walked around the yard, contemplating the varying beauties
of the scene: the images of departed joys--the days when Alonzo had
participated with her in admiring the splendours of rural prospects,
raised in her bosom the sigh of deep regret. She entered the garden
and traversed the alleys, now overgrown with weeds and tufted knot
grass. The flower beds were choaked with the low running bramble and
tangling five finger; tall, rank rushes, mullens and daisies, had
usurped the empire of the kitchen garden. The viny arbour was
broken, and principally gone to decay; yet the "lonely wild rose"
blushed mournfully amidst the ruins.]

Alida continued to walk the garden until the servant informed her that
the carriage was waiting to take her to the city.

Although they set out rather late in the day, they arrived in town some
hours before sunset. They drove immediately to their dwelling, which was
situated in a pleasant part of Greenwich-stree