May he again return, and with him bring
A soft serenity on pleasure's wing;
While anxious fears, and doubt, shall disappear,
The heavy mists of gloomy thought to clear.
The scenes of solitude were now more pleasing to Alida than ever. She
loved to wander through the shady grove and lonely valley, and adapt
their retirement to her own particular situation. She would often stray
as far as the cottage or the farmhouse, at a little distance, and would
sometimes take the winding path through a beautiful piece of wood which
led to Raymond's, where the thick foliage formed a grateful shade.
There she would indulge herself in solitary thought. "How changeable are
all things terrestrial," said she, "the varied year has its seasons, and
winter and summer are constantly in pursuit of each other. The elements
are frequently disturbed by storms and tempests, so, in like manner, is
the human breast at intervals troubled and discomposed, and often
remains overshadowed with pensive sadness and cheerless reverie; and
these desponding ideas must continue to have influence over the mind,
till the sunshine of reason and religion kindly dispels the gloom, and
awakens anew the feelings of the heart to the rays of hope and more
enlivening sensations." She had just returned home one afternoon from
Raymond's, when her brother, who had been absent on business to the
city, drove up the avenue, accompanied by Mr. More.
[_NY Weekly_: The Nettle and the Rose:
.... As the year has its seasons, and winter and summer are
constantly in pursuit of each other, so changeable likewise is the
condition of mortals; and as the elements are frequently disturbed
by storms, hurricanes, and tempests, so is the mind of man
frequently ruffled and discomposed, till the sun-shine of reason
and philosophy bursts forth and dispels the gloom.....]
Albert informed his sister of the arrival of Theodore. She almost
fainted at the intelligence, so unexpected: and although she wished of
all things, to learn all the circumstances attending his absence, yet
she dreaded the event, to behold him again, fearing the truth of
Bonville's suggestions.
In the midst of these thoughts and fears, Theodore alighted at the
house, and was shown by the servant into the drawing-room.
Theodore, regardless of all around him, as soon as he beheld Alida, he
grasped her hand, exclaiming with rapture, "Has the period at length
arrived, and am I indeed once more so happy as to meet again my
much-esteemed and long-lost friend."
Alida gazed on him in silence. He saw her extreme agitation, and after
they were seated, he observed more particularly her altered appearance.
What surprise and grief was manifest in his countenance, when he saw the
paleness of her cheek, and the roses that once spread their healthy hue
over them, now seemed fled for ever. In a length of time, she became
somewhat more composed; but in what light to consider Theodore, she yet
did not know, and former ideas still clouded her imagination.
At length she assumed sufficient courage, to ask him, why he had not
thought proper to inform any of his friends of the circumstances
attending his absence.
Theodore could scarcely remain silent while Alida was speaking; he was
surprised beyond all description at what he heard. "Can it be possible,"
said he, "that you have missed of information concerning me, when I
delayed not to inform you of all my movements, every opportunity I had
to convey intelligence." He then informed her that the letters had been
sent to Raymond, and those for herself were enclosed, and committed to
his care; and through this channel, he had related minutely all the
various trials and circumstances attending his unexpected journey, and
the cause of his protracted stay. Alida was evidently convinced, and
appeared again assured of the truth of her lover. The energy with which
he spoke, his agitated feelings, joined to the distress visible in his
countenance, convinced her of his sincerity, at least caused her to
doubt, what a few moments before appeared so incontestible: and her
present happiness fully compensated for the lengthy period of distress
and anxiety she had experienced.
Albert was delighted at the return of Theodore, and highly gratified in
his hopes, to find in his early friend, still the man of honour he had
ever considered him. He had never once mentioned his name to Alida
during their separation; although his thoughts often revolved on the
unhappy result of their acquaintance, and the future welfare of his
sister.
Mr. More was a silent spectator of this joyful meeting. He now beheld
the person who had been so happy as to win the esteem and affections of
Alida, a person that he had heard spoken of, though it had appeared that
he never expected to see.
He witnessed the happy meeting. Sighs and tears from this time were his
only companions, while his aspect pourtrayed nought but anguish and
utter despair. He looked upon this happy pair as already united. He shed
tears of evident anguish, when he took leave of Alida, and his looks
told her it must now be forever.
The evening was not far advanced, when Bonville, who was altogether
ignorant of Theodore's arrival, unexpectedly made his appearance. Struck
with the utmost consternation at seeing him, he involuntarily receded a
few paces, then suddenly advancing, as if recollecting himself, he gave
him his hand with seeming cordiality.
[_A&M_:
Beauman and Alonzo addressed each other with much seeming
cordiality.]
The natural politeness and civility of the other supplied the place of a
more cordial reception.
Ten thousand fears at once agitated the bosom of Bonville, while he
appeared half frantic with grief and apprehension. Dismay threw a sudden
cloud over his understanding; he was confused in the extreme. He had
intercepted all the letters of Theodore; he secretly reproached himself
for his treacherous conduct.
He now saw the termination of all his hopes. Disappointment he could not
brook, his pride could never submit to it with any degree of
resignation, and the bitterness that pervaded his mind, almost bordered
on phrenzy.
His conscience reproved him for reiterated misrepresentations and
calumnies of Theodore, with which he had harrassed the mind of Alida. He
knew that a discovery must now be made of his perfidy, and on his return
home to the village, he was confined to his room with a sudden illness,
succeeded by a dangerous fever.