ch fell in artless circles around
her lily neck; her arched eye-brows and commanding aspect. Alonzo moved
towards the house, with a design, if possible, to draw her attention,
and should it really prove to be Melissa, to discover himself. He had
proceeded but a few steps before she arose, shut the window, retired,
and the light disappeared. Alonzo waited a considerable time, but she
appeared no more. Supposing she had retired for the night, he slowly
withdrew, chagrined at this disappointment, yet pleased at the discovery
he had made.

The family with whom Alonzo had taken lodgings were fashionable and
respectable. The following afternoon they had appointed to visit a
friend, and they invited Alonzo to accompany them. When they named the
family where their visit was intended, he found it to be Melissa's
cousin. Alonzo therefore declined going under pretence of business. He
however waited with anxiety for their return, hoping he should be able
to learn by their conversation, whether Melissa was there or not.--When
they returned he made some enquiries concerning the families in town,
until the conversation turned upon the family they had visited. "The
young lady who resides there, said Mrs. Wyllis, is undoubtedly in a
confirmed decline; she will never recover."

Alonzo started, deeply agitated. "Who is the young lady?" he asked. "She
is sister to the gentleman's wife where we visited, answered Mr.
Wyllis;--her father lives in Newport, and she has come here for her
health." "Do you not think, said Mrs. Wyllis, that she resembles their
cousin Melissa, who resided there some time ago?" "Very much indeed,
replied her husband, only she is not quite so handsome."

Again was Alonzo disappointed, and again did he experience a melancholy
pleasure: he had the last night hoped that he had discovered Melissa;
but to find her in a hopeless decline, was worse than that she should
remain undiscovered.

"It is reported, said Mrs. Wyllis, that Melissa has been upon the verge
of matrimony, but that the treaty was somehow broken off; perhaps
Beauman will renew his addresses again, should this be the case."
"Beauman has other business besides addressing the ladies, answered Mr.
Wyllis. He has marched to the lines near New-York with his new raised
company of volunteers."[A]

[Footnote A: New-York was then in possession of the British
troops.]

From this discourse, Alonzo was convinced that Melissa was not the
person he had see