y heavy showers of rain, and the days had
become more pleasant, because they were something longer. The air was
more salubrious, and invited the citizens to inhale its healthful
draught without their dwellings, where they had been several months in a
manner shut up from the inclemencies of the cold season.

One morning after the family had taken breakfast, they sat talking over
late events and recent occurrences that had varied so materially within
the last three months. In this conversation, they were unmindful of the
hour, until Mr. Bolton, without ceremony, (as was his custom,) entered
the breakfast parlour. After the usual salutations to her parents, and
conversing some time with his aunt, he addressed Alida with his native
pleasantry, relating to her some stories of the satirical order as the
current news of the city. He afterwards informed her of the conversation
between himself and her father, and in what manner the latter had
replied. Alida remained silent, with her eyes fixed upon the floor, as
if revolving in her mind what to say.

In the meantime, he did not await her reply, but entreated her in the
most pathetic language to consent to elope with him, and at all events
to unite her destiny with his; at the same time telling her that
implicit obedience to a parent's will, in an affair that so materially
concerned her happiness, could not be expected, and that her father was
much to blame in attempting to control her liberty of choice; saying,
moreover, that after their views should be accomplished, that he had no
doubt whatever of his reconciliation. He had lately received
intelligence of the death of an uncle in Savannah, who had bequeathed to
him his fortune. He was preparing for his departure thence. He would
not, therefore, give up his former project, and thought to avail himself
of this opportunity, (by all the rhetoric he was master of,) to urge
Alida to accept him and accompany him on his journey. He even proposed
whither they should escape from the eye of her father for the
performance of the marriage ceremony.

[[This section is recycled from _A&M_, referring to the proposed
elopement with Alonzo/Theodore. The passage was previously cited
verbatim.]]

Alida was truly shocked and surprised at a proposition so unexpected
from Mr. Bolton, after he had known her father's decision. She had never
considered him in any other light than as a brother; and being a
connexion in the family, they h