hard for
me, and so I will say no more about it."

Melissa then introduced the young officer to Alonzo, by the appellation
of Capt. Wilmot. "He is the son of my deceased uncle, said she, a cousin
to whom I am much indebted, as you shall hereafter know."

A coach drove up to the door, which Melissa informed Alonzo was her
uncle's, and was sent to convey Alfred and her home. "You will have no
objection to breakfast with me at my uncle's, said Alfred, if it be only
to keep our cousin Melissa in countenance."

Alonzo did not hesitate to accept the invitation: They immediately
therefore entered the coach, a servant took care of Alonzo's carriage,
and they drove to the seat of Col. D----, who, with his family, received
Alonzo with much friendship and politeness. Alfred had apprized them of
Alonzo's arrival in town, and of course he was expected.

Col. D---- was about fifty years old, his manners were majestically
grave, and commanding, yet polished and polite. His family consisted of
an amiable wife, considerably younger than himself, and three children:
the eldest son, about ten years of age, and two daughters, one seven,
the other four years old. Harmony and cheerfulness reigned in his
family, which diffused tranquillity and ease to its members and its
guests.

It was agreed that Alonzo should pass a few days at the house of
Melissa's uncle, when Melissa was to accompany him to Connecticut.
Alfred, with some other officers, was recruiting for the army, where his
regiment then lay, and which he was shortly to join. He could not,
therefore, be constantly at his uncle's, though he was principally there
while Alonzo staid: but being absent the day after his arrival, Melissa
and Alonzo having retired to a room separate from the family, she gave
him the following account of what happened after they had parted at the
old mansion.

"The morning after you left me, she said, John came to the bridge and
called to be let in:--I immediately went to the gate, opened it, and let
down the bridge. John informed me that my aunt had suddenly and
unexpectedly arrived that morning in company with a strange gentleman,
and that he had come for the keys, as my aunt was to visit the mansion
that day. I strove to persuade John to leave the keys in my possession,
and that I would make all easy with my aunt when she arrived. This,
though with much reluctance, he at length consented to, and departed.
Soon after this my aunt came, and without muc