ndred
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,
politely invited him to alight and walk in, while a servant stood ready
to take his horse. He was ushered into a large room neatly furnished,
where the family and several young ladies were sitting. As Alonzo
glanced his eyes 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
Melissa. By this unexpected meeting they were both completely
embarrassed. Melissa, however, arose, and in rather a confused manner,
introduced Alonzo, as the classmate of her brother, to the family of Mr.
Simpson and the company.

The rain continued most part of the afternoon. Alonzo was invited, and
consented to stay all night. A moon-light evening succeeded the shower,
which invited the young people to walk in an adjoining garden. Melissa
told Alonzo that Mr. Simpson was a distant relative of her father; his
family consisted of his wife, two amiable daughters, not far from
Melissa's age, and one son, named William, about seventeen years old.
She had been invited there to pass a week, and expected to return within
two days. And she added, smiling, "perhaps, Alonzo, we may have an
opportunity once more to visit the bower on my prospect hill, before
winter entirely destroys the remaining beauties of the summer." Alonzo
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 occasion.

"Great changes, indeed, he replied, have taken place since we were last
there: that they are productive of unexpected and unexampled happiness
to me, is due, Melissa, to you alone." Alonzo departed the next morning,
appointing the next week to visit Melissa at her father's house.

Thus were the obstacles removed which presented a barrier to the united
wishes of Alonzo and Melissa. They had not, it is true, been separated
by wide seas, unfeeling parents, or the rigorous laws of war; but
troubles, vexations, doubts and difficulties, had thus far attended
them, which had now disappeared, and they calculated on no unpropitious
event which might thwart their future union. All the time that Alonzo
could spare from his studies was devoted to Melissa, and their parents
began to calculate on join