around the angles of the mansion, blended with
the more slow, monotonous cadence of the advancing waves of the Hudson.

The evenings were cold, dark, and gloomy, except when the resplendent
rays of the moon's mild lustre was seen dispensing its light and
cheering influence, dissipating, in a material degree, the dreariness of
the evenings of this inclement season. Winter had commenced, "sullen and
sad, with all his rising train." "Vapours, and clouds, and storms,"
succeeded each other. Instead of copious showers of rain, snow and ice
were spread over the pavement in heavy masses.

[Thomson: _Seasons_: Winter, first three lines:

See, Winter comes, to rule the varied year;
Sullen and sad, with all his rising train;
Vapours, and Clouds, and Storms....]

One evening as a storm was approaching, and the winds blew tremendously,
and the snow began to fall in abundance, Where now, thought Alida, is
Theodore? though the cold may pierce and storms molest him, yet there is
no friend to sympathise with him in his distress, or to mitigate the
heaviness of his cheerless hours, and shed the rays of gladness over his
troubled mind.

[Robert Bloomfield: _The Farmer's Boy; a Rural Poem_ (1798,
quoted from 1820): Winter:

_Him_, though the cold may pierce, and storms molest,
Succeeding hours shall cheer with warmth and rest;
Gladness to spread, and raise the grateful smile,]

How great the contrast is now with his former fortunes, how severe his
afflictions! He feels not so much the loss of wealth, but he sighs for
the smiles of former associates and friends. She looked upon her finger,
there was the ring he had given her in happier days. This she vowed to
keep and cherish, through every trial and affliction. It was Theodore's
last gift. Where was he now? What dangers he may have encountered, and
what hardships endured! and what might he not yet have to suffer, ere
she should behold him again, if indeed she ever should.

She had not heard from him in a long time. He had promised to write--why
was he not faithful to his promise?

[The Merchant's Daughter:

How great the contrast-- how severe her afflictions! She felt not
the loss of wealth, she sighed not for the smiles of former
associates.... She looked upon her finger, there was the plain gold
ring-- the only one of all her jewels that she had not parted with--
she vowed she would keep and cherish it through every trial and
afflicti