ring clouds involve the threat'ning skies,
The billows heave with the impending gloom;
Deep hollow murmurs from the cliffs arise,
Ride on the blast, and urge the howling storm."

Several weeks passed away, and Theodore felt all that anxiety and
impatience which a separation from a beloved object can produce. He
framed a thousand excuses to visit Alida, yet he feared a visit might be
premature. He was, however, necessitated to make a journey to a distant
part of the country, after which he resolved to see her.

He performed the business he went on, and was returning. It was toward
evening, and the day had been uncommonly sultry for the autumnal season.
A rising shower blackened the western hemisphere; the dark vapours
ascended in folding ridges, and the thunder rolled at a distance.

Theodore saw he should be overtaken by the rain. He discovered an
elegant seat about a hundred yards distant from the road; thither he
hastened to gain shelter from the approaching storm.

The owner of the mansion met him at the door, and politely invited him
in, while a servant stood ready to take his horse.

He was ushered into a large apartment, genteelly furnished, where the
family and several young ladies were sitting. As he glanced his eye
hastily around the room, he thought he recognized a familiar
countenance. A hurried succession of confused ideas for a moment crossed
his recollection. In a moment he discovered that it was Alida.

By this unexpected meeting they were both completely embarrassed. Alida,
however, arose, and, in rather a confused manner, introduced Theodore to
the company as the friend of her brother.

The rain continued most part of the afternoon. Theodore was urged by the
family, and consented to stay the night. A moonlight evening succeeded
the shower, which invited the young people to walk in an adjoining
garden. Alida informed Theodore that the owner of the mansion was a
distant relative of her father, who had two amiable daughters, not far
from her own age. She had been invited there to pass a week, and
expected to return within two days. "And," she added, smiling, "perhaps,
Theodore, we may have an opportunity once more to visit our favourite
grove, before winter entirely destroys the remaining beauties of the
summer."

Theodore felt all the force of the remark. He recollected the
conversation when they were last at the place she mentioned; and he well
remembered his feelings on that occasio