discovered me." So saying, he bade Alonzo
good night, and walked hastily away. "I find he knows not the character
of Melissa," said Alonzo, and returned to Vincent's.

The next day Alonzo told the Vincents of all that had passed, and it was
agreed that Mrs. Vincent should visit at Melissa's father's that
afternoon. She went at an early hour. Alonzo's feelings were on the rack
until she returned, which happened much sooner than was expected; when
she gave him and Vincent the following information:

"When I arrived there, said she, I found Melissa's father and mother
alone, her mother was in tears, which she endeavoured to conceal. Her
father soon withdrew. After some conversation I enquired for Melissa.
The old lady burst into tears, and informed me that this morning
Melissa's aunt (the old maid) had invited her to ride out with her.
A carriage was provided, which, after a large trunk had been placed
therein, drove off with Melissa and her aunt; that Melissa's father had
just been informing her that he had sent their daughter to a distant
part of the country, where she was to reside with a friend until Alonzo
should depart from the neighbourhood. The reason of this sudden
resolution was his being informed by Beauman, that notwithstanding his
precaution, Melissa and Alonzo had an interview the last evening. Where
she was sent to, the old lady could not tell, but she was convinced that
Melissa was not apprised of the design when she consented to go. Her
aunt had heretofore been living with the relatives of the family in
various parts of the state."

Alonzo listened to Mrs. Vincent's relation with inexpressible agitation.
He sat silent a few moments; then suddenly starting up, "I will find her
if she be on the earth!" said he, and in spite of Vincent's attempts to
prevent him, rushed out of the house, flew to the road, and was soon out
of sight.

Melissa had not, indeed, the most distant suspicion of the designs of
her father and aunt. The latter informed her that she was going to take
a morning's ride, and invited Melissa to accompany her, to which she
consented. She did not even perceive the trunk which was fastened on
behind the carriage. They were attended by a single servant. They drove
to a neighbouring town, where Melissa had frequently attended her father
and mother to purchase articles of dress, &c. where they alighted at a
friend's house, and lingered away the time until dinner; after which,
they prepared, as