order his carriage; his favourite stranger, the young officer, was in
waiting, and requested a private interview. They immediately retired to
a separate room, when the stranger thus addressed Alonzo:

"From our short acquaintance, you may, sir, consider it singular that I
should attempt to scrutinize your private concerns, and more
extraordinary you may esteem it, when I inform you of my reasons for so
doing. Judging, however, from appearances, I have no doubt of your
candour. If my questions should be deemed improper, you will tell me
so."

Alonzo assured him he would treat him candidly. "This I believe, said
the young officer; I take the liberty therefore to ask if you are an
American?"----"I am," answered Alonzo. "I presume, said the
stranger--the question is a delicate one--I presume your family is
respectable?" "Sacredly so," replied Alonzo. "Are you married, sir?"
"I am not, and have ever been single." "Have you any prospects of
connecting in marriage?" "I have not, sir." "I may then safely proceed,
said the stranger; I trust you will hear me attentively; you will judge
maturely; you will decide correctly, and I am confident that you will
answer me sincerely.

"A young lady of this city, with whom I am well acquainted, and to whom,
indeed, I am distantly related, whose father is affluent, whose
connections are eminently respectable, whose manners are engaging, whose
mind is virtue, whose elegance of form and personal beauty defy
competition, is the cause, sir, of this mission.--Early introduced into
the higher walks of life, she has passed the rounds of fashionable
company; numberless suitors sighed for her hand, whom she complaisantly
dismissed without disobliging, as her heart had not yet been touched by
the tender passion of love. Surprising as it may, however, seem, it is
now about six months since she saw in her dream the youth who possessed
the power to inspire her with this passion. In her dream she saw a young
gentleman whose interesting manners and appearance, impressed her so
deeply that she found she must be unhappy without him. She thought it
was in a mixed company she saw him, but that she could not get an
opportunity to speak to him. It seemed that if she could but speak with
him, all difficulties would at once be removed. At length he approached
her, and just as he was about to address her, she awoke.

"This extraordinary dream she had communicated to several of her
acquaintance.--Confident tha