approaching through the
gloom, or to hear the sound of her footsteps advancing amidst the
darkness. Shapeless objects, either real or imaginary, frequently
crossed his sight, but, like the unreal phantoms of night, they suddenly
passed away, and were seen no more. At length he perceived a dusky white
form advancing in the distant dim obscurity. It drew near; his heart
beat in quick succession; his fond hopes told him it was Melissa. The
object came up, and hastily passed him, with a "good night, sir."

It was a stranger in a white surtout. Alonzo hesitated whether to
advance or to return. It was possible, though not probable, that Melissa
might have come some other way. He hastened back to Vincent's--she had
not arrived. "Something extraordinary, said Mrs. Vincent, has prevented
her coming. Perhaps she is ill."--Alonzo shuddered at the suggestion. He
looked at his watch; it was half past eleven o'clock. Again he hastily
sallied out, and took the road to her father's.

* * * * *

The night was exceedingly dark, and illuminated only by the feeble
glimmering of the twinkling stars. When he came within sight of the
house, and as he drew near no lights were visible--all was still and
silent. He entered the yard, walked up the avenue, and approached the
door. The familiar watch-dog, which lay near the threshold, fawned upon
him, joyfully whining and wagging his tail. "Thou still knowest me,
Curlow, said Alonzo; thou hast known me in better days; I am now poor
and wretched, but thy friendship is the same." A solemn stillness
prevailed all around, interrupted only by the discordance of the nightly
insects, and the hooting of the moping owl from the neighbouring
forest.--The dwelling was shrouded in darkness. In Melissa's room no
gleam of light appeared. "They are all buried in sleep, said Alonzo,
deeply sighing, and I have only to return in disappointment."

He turned and walked towards the street; casting his eyes back, the
blaze of a candle caught his sight. It passed rapidly along through the
lower rooms, now gleaming, now intercepted, as the walls or the windows
intervened, and suddenly disappeared. Alonzo gazed earnestly a few
moments, and hastily returned back. No noise was to be heard, no new
objects were discernible.--He clambered over the garden wall, and went
around to the back side of the house. Here all was solemn and silent as
in front. Immediately a faint light appeared through o