"Come, Friendship, twine a wreath for me,
And weave it with the choicest flowers,
To cheat the ling'ring steps of time,
And gladden all life's passing hours."
The time now arrived when Theodore was to enter upon his professional
studies, and he became engaged in the office of an eminent attorney in
New-York. He frequently absented himself, however, to accompany Albert
to visit his father's family, and since his acquaintance with Alida,
there was a charm that attracted him thither. If he had admired the
manly virtues of the brother, could he fail to adore the gentle graces
of the sister? If all the sympathies of the most ardent friendship had
been drawn forth toward the former, must not all the softer
sensibilities of the heart be attracted by the milder and more refined
excellencies of the other?
[_A&M_ (beginning of continuous text):
The time now arrived when Edgar and Alonzo were to part. The former
repaired to New-York, where he was to enter upon his professional
studies. The latter entered in the office of an eminent attorney in
his native town, which was about twenty miles distant from the
village in which lived the family of Edgar and Melissa. Alonzo was
the frequent guest of this family; for though Edgar was absent,
there was still a charm which attracted him thither. If he had
admired the manly virtues of the brother, could he fail to adore the
sublimer graces of the sister. If all the sympathies of the most
ardent friendship had been drawn forth towards the former, must not
the most tender passions of the soul be attracted by the milder and
more refined excellencies of the other?]
Bonville had become the admirer of Alida; of course he and Theodore
sometimes met. He had made no serious pretensions, but his particularity
indicated something more than fashionable politeness. His manners, his
independent situation, entitled him to respect. "It is not probable,
therefore, that he will be objectionable to her friends, or to Alida
herself," said Theodore, with an involuntary sigh, and as his visits
became more frequent, an increasing anxiety took place in his bosom. He
wished her to remain single; the idea of losing her by marriage, gave
him inexpressible regret. What substitute could supply to him the happy
hours he had passed in her company? What charm could wing the lingering
moments when she was gone?
[_A&M_:
Beauman had become the suitor of Melissa; but the distance of
residence rendered it inconvenient to visit her often. He came
regularly once in two or three months, of course Alonzo and he
sometimes met. Beauman had made no serious pretensions, but his
particularity indicated something more than fashionable politeness.
His manners, his independent situation, his family, entitled
him to respect. "It is not probable therefore, that he will be
objectionable to Melissa's friends, or to Melissa herself," said
Alonzo, with an involuntary sigh.
But as Beauman's visits to Melissa became more frequent, an
increasing anxiety took place in Alonzo's bosom. He wished her
to remain single; the idea of losing her by marriage, gave him
inexpressible regret. What substitute could supply the happy hours
he had passed in her company? What charm could wing the lingering
moments when she was gone?]
How different would be the scene when debarred from the unreserved
friendship and conversation of Alida. And unreserved it could not be,
were she not exclusively mistress of herself. But was there not
something of a more refined texture than friendship in his predilection
for the company of Alida? If so, why not avow it? His prospects, his
family, and of course his pretensions might not be inferior to those of
Bonville.
[_A&M_:
How different would be the scene when debarred from the unreserved
friendship and conversation of Melissa! And unreserved it could not
be, were she not exclusively mistress of herself. But was there not
something of a more refined texture than friendship in his
predilection for the company of Melissa? If so, why not avow it? His
prospects, his family, and of course his pretensions might not be
inferior to those of Beauman.]
But perhaps he was preferred. His opportunities: his prior acquaintance
with the lady. Distance was no barrier to his addresses. His visits
became more and more frequent. Was it not then highly probable that he
had gained her affections?
[_A&M_:
But perhaps Beauman was preferred--His opportunities had been
greater--He had formed an acquaintance with her. Distance proved no
barrier to his addresses. His visits became more and more frequent.
Was it not then highly probable that he had secured her affections?]
Thus reasoned Theodore, but the reasoning tended not to allay the
tempest that was gathering in his bosom. He ordered his carriage, and
was in a short time at the seat of Alida's father. It was summer, and
towards evening when he arrived. Alida was sitting by the window when he
entered the hall. She arose and received him with a smile. I have just
been thinking of an evening's walk, said she, but had no one to attend
me, and you have come just in time to perform that office. I will order
tea immediately, while you rest from the fatigues of your journey.
[_A&M_:
Thus reasoned Alonzo, but the reasoning tended not to allay the
tempest which was gathering in his bosom. He ordered his horse, and
was in a short time at the seat of Melissa's father.
It was summer, and towards evening when he arrived, Melissa was
sitting by the window when he entered the hall. She arose and
received him with a smile. "I have just been thinking of an
evening's walk, (said she) but had no one to attend me, and you
have come just in time to perform that office. I will order tea
immediately, while you rest from the fatigues of your journey."]
When tea was served up, a servant entered the room with a letter which
he had found in the yard. Alida received it. "'Tis a letter," said she,
which I sent by Bonville to a lady in the village, and the careless man
has lost it. Turning to Theodore, I forgot to tell you, that your friend
Bonville has been with us a few days; he left us this morning. "My
friend," replied Theodore, hastily. "Is he not your friend?" inquired
Alida. "I beg pardon, madam," said he "my mind was absent." "He
requested us to present his respects to his friend Theodore," said she.
Theodore bowed and turned the conversation.
[_A&M_:
When tea was served up a servant entered the room with a letter
which he had found in the yard. Melissa received it.--"'Tis a letter
(said she) which I sent by Beauman, to a lady in New-London, and the
careless man has lost it." Turning to Alonzo, "I forgot to tell you
that your friend Beauman has been with us a few days; he left us
this morning." "My friend!" replied Alonzo hastily. "Is he not your
friend?" enquired Melissa. "I beg pardon madam (answered he) my mind
was absent." "He requested us to present his respects to his friend
Alonzo," said she--Alonzo bowed and turned the conversation.]
They now walked out, and took a winding path which led through pleasant
fields until they reached the water, and continued to pursue their way
along the shore till they came to a beautiful and shady grove, where the
thick foliage afforded a delightful retreat from the warm rays of the
sun, and at the extremity of which was a sloping eminence, which
commanded an extensive prospect of the surrounding country, part of
Long-Island sound and the junction of the bay with the eastern river.
[_A&M_:
They walked out and took a winding path which led along pleasant
fields by a gliding stream through a little grove, and up a sloping
eminence, which commanded an extensive prospect of the surrounding
country, Long Island and the sound between that and the main land,
and the opening there off to the distant ocean.]
A soft and silent shower had descended. A thousand transitory gems
trembled upon the leafy foliage, glittering in the western ray. A bright
rainbow sat upon a southern cloud; the light gales whispered among the
branches, agitated the young harvest to billowy motion, and moved the
tops of the deep green forest with majestic grandeur; while flocks,
herds, and cottages were scattered over the resplendent landscape.
[_A&M_:
A soft and silent shower had descended; a thousand transitory gems
trembled upon the foliage glittering in the western ray. A bright
rainbow sat upon a southern cloud; the light gales whispered among
the branches, agitated the young harvest to billowy motion, or waved
the tops of the distant, deep green forest with majestic grandeur.
Flocks, herds and cottages were scattered over the variegated
landscape.]
"This is a most delightful scene," said Alida. "It is, truly," replied
Theodore, "do you think that New-York can boast of so charming a
prospect?" "Yes, one," answered she, it is the walk on the battery, the
water prospect is similar to this, but the landscape is not so
variegated.
[_A&M_:
.... "This is a most delightful scene," said Melissa.
It is indeed (replied Alonzo,) can New London boast so charming
a prospect?]
See that ship, Theodore, coming down the sound, how she ploughs through
the white foam, while the breezes flutter in the sails, varying with the
vivid rays of the sun. "Yes," said Theodore, it bounds with rapid
motions over the waves, and ere the day has departed it will probably
safely reach the wharf of the city.
[_A&M_:
Mel. See that ship, Alonzo, coming up the sound; how she ploughs
through the white foam, while the breezes flutter among the sails,
varying with the beams of the sun.
...
Al. O yes--the ship--it--it bounds with rapid motion over the
waves.]
They walked leisurely around the hill, and then moved slowly towards
home. The sun was sinking gradually behind the western horizon. Twilight
arose dimly in the east, and floated along the air. Darkness began to
hover around the woodlands and valleys. The beauties of the landscape
slowly receded; the breezes had gone down with the sun, and a perfect
calm succeeded.
[_A&M_:
A pause ensued. They walked leisurely around the hill, and moved
toward home. The sun sunk behind the western hills. Twilight arose
in the east, and floated along the air. Darkness began to hover
around the woodlands and vallies. The beauties of the landscape
slowly receded.]
"I shall never forget this charming promenade," said Theodore, as he
approached the threshold of the door, with a deep drawn sigh, "and the
remembrance of the sweet pensive scenery of this delightful spot, will
ever continue to haunt my memory."
[_A&M_ (Melissa speaking):
I shall never forget the sweet pensive scenery of my favorite rock.
"Nor I neither," said Alonzo, with a deep drawn sigh.]