lissa walked her room, listening to the wild commotion of the
elements. She feared that if the storm continued, she should be
compelled to pass another night in the lone mansion: if so, she resolved
not to go to bed. She now suddenly recollected that in her haste to
regain her chamber, she had forgotten to lock the outer door. The shock
she had received when the lightning demolished the elm tree, was the
cause of this neglect. She took the candle, ran hastily down, and
fastened the door. As she was returning, she heard footsteps, and
imperfectly saw the glance of something coming out of an adjoining room
into the hall. Supposing some ghastly object was approaching, she
averted her eyes and flew to the stairs. As she was ascending them,
a voice behind her exclaimed, "Gracious heaven! Melissa!" The voice
agitated her frame with a confused, sympathetic sensation. She turned,
fixed her eyes upon the person who had spoken; unconnected ideas floated
a moment in her imagination: "Eternal powers! she cried, it is Alonzo."

* * * * *

Alonzo and Melissa were equally surprised at so unexpected a meeting.
They could scarcely credit their own senses.--How he had discovered her
solitude--what led him to that lonely place--how he had got over the
wall--were queries which first arose in her mind. He likewise could not
conceive by what miracle he should find her in a remote, desolate
building, which he had supposed to be uninhabited. With rapture he took
her trembling hand; tears of joy choaked their utterance. "You are wet,
Alonzo, said Melissa at length; we will go up to my chamber; I have a
fire there, where you can dry your clothes."--"Your chamber; replied
Alonzo; who then inhabits this house?" "No one except myself, she
answered; I am here alone, Alonzo." "Alone! he exclaimed--here alone,
Melissa! Good God! tell me how--why--by what means are you here alone?"
"Let us go up to my chamber, she replied, and I will tell you all."

He followed her to her apartment and seated himself by the fire. "You
want refreshment," said Melissa--which was indeed the case, as he had
been long without any, and was wet, hungry and weary.

She immediately set about preparing tea and soon had it ready, and a
comfortable repast was spread for his entertainment.--And now, reader,
if thou art a child of nature, if thy bosom is susceptible of refined
sensibility, contemplate for a moment, Melissa and Alonzo seated at the
s