this passion. In her dream she saw a younggentleman whose interesting manners and appearance, impressed her sodeeply that she found she must be unhappy without him. She thought itwas in a mixed company she saw him, but that she could not get anopportunity to speak to him. It seemed that if she could but speak withhim, all difficulties would at once be removed. At length he approachedher, and just as he was about to address her, she awoke.
"This extraordinary dream she had communicated to several of heracquaintance.--Confident that she should some time or other behold thereal person whose semblance she had seen in her dream, she has neversince been perfectly at ease in her mind. Her father, who has but twochildren, one beside herself, being dotingly fond of her, has promisedthat if ever she meets this unknown stranger, he will not oppose theirunion, provided he is respectable, and that, if worthy of her hand,he will make him independent.
"On my return from the inn the evening I first saw you, I told mysister--I beg pardon, sir--I was wandering from my subject--after Ifirst met you at the inn, I fell in company with the lady, and in arallying way told her that I had seen her _invisible beau_, as we usedto call the gentleman of the dream. I superficially described yourperson, and descanted a little on the embellishments of your mind. Shelistened with some curiosity and attention; but I had so often jestedwith her in this manner, that she thought little of it. At the play lastnight, I had just been speaking to her when I came to your box: her eyesfollowed me, but no sooner had they rested on you, than she fainted!This was the cause of my leaving you so abruptly, and not returning. Weconveyed her home, when she informed me that you was the person she hadseen in her dream!
"To me only, she preferred disclosing the circumstance at present, forreasons which must be obvious to your understanding.--Even her fatherand mother are not informed of it, and should my mission proveunsuccessful, none except you, sir, she and myself, I hope and trust,will ever know any thing of the matter.
"Now, sir, it is necessary for me farther to explain. As singular as thecircumstances which I have related may appear to you, to me they mustappear as strange.--One valuable purpose is, however, answered thereby;it will exclude the imputation of capriciousness----the freakish whim of_love at first sight_, which exists only in novels and romances. You,sir, are young, unmarried, unaffianced, your affections free: such isthe condition of the lady. She enquires not into the state of yourproperty! she asks not riches:--If she obtains the object of her choice,on him, as I have told you, will her father bestowaffluence.----Whatever, sir, may be your pretensions to eminence, andthey may be many, the lady is not your inferior. Her education also issuch as would do honour to a gentleman of taste.
"I will not extend my remarks; you perfectly understand me--what answershall I return?"
Alonzo sighed: for a few moments he was silent.
"Perhaps, said the stranger, you may consider the _mode_ of this messageas bearing the appearance of indecorum. If so, I presume, on reviewingthe incidents which to--which _enforced it_, as the most safe, the_only_ means of sure communication, you will change your opinion.Probably you would not wish finally to decide until you have visited thelady. This was my expectation, and I am, therefore, ready to introduceyou to her presence."
"No, sir, said Alonzo, so far from considering the message indecorous, Iesteem it a peculiar honour, both as respects the lady and yourself. Noris it necessary that I should visit the lady, to confirm the truth ofwhat you have related. You will not, sir, receive it as an adulatorycompliment, when I say, that although our acquaintance is short, yet myconfidence in your integrity is such as to require no corroboratingfacts to establish your declaration. But, sir, there are obstacles,insuperable obstacles, to the execution of the measures you wouldpropose.
"Your frankness to me, demands, on my part, equal candour. I assured youthat I was unmarried, and had no prospect of entering into matrimonialengagements; this is indeed the fact: but it is also true that myaffections--my first, my earliest affections were engaged, unalienablyengaged, to an object which is now no more. Perhaps you may esteem itsingular; perhaps you will consider it enthusiasm; but, sir, it isimpossible that my heart should admit a second and similar impression."
The stranger paused. "Recent disappointments of this nature, he replied,commonly leave the mind under such gloomy influences. Time, however, thesoother of severest woes, will, though slowly, yet surely, disperse theclouds of anguish, and the rays of comfort and consolation will beamupon the soul. I wish not to be considered importunate, but the day mayarrive when you may change your present determination, and then will younot regret that you refused so advantageous an overture?"
"That day will never arrive, sir answered Alonzo: I have had time fordeliberate reflection since the melancholy event took place. I haveexperienced a sufficient change of objects and country; the effect isthe same. The wound is still recent, and so it will ever remain: indeedI cannot wish it otherwise. There is a rich and sacred solemnity in mysorrows, sir, which I would not exchange for the most splendidacquirements of wealth, or the most dignified titles of fame."
The young officer sat for some time silent. "Well, sir, he said, sinceit is thus, seeing that these things are so, I will urge you no farther.You will pardon me respecting the part I have taken in this business,since it was with the purest designs. May consolation, comfort, andhappiness, yet be yours."
"To you and your fair friend, said Alonzo, I consider myself under thehighest obligations. The gratitude I feel I can but feebly express.Believe me, sir, when I tell you, (and it is all I can say,) that youringenuous conduct has left impressions in my bosom which can never beobliterated."
The stranger held out his hand, which Alonzo ardently grasped. They weresilent, but their eyes spoke sympathy, and they parted.
Alonzo immediately prepared, and was soon ready to depart. As he wasstepping into his carriage, he saw the young officer returning. As hecame up, "I must detain you a few moments longer, he said, and I willgive you no farther trouble. You will recollect that the lady about whomI have so much teazed you, when she became _acquainted_ with you in herdream, believed that if she could speak with you, all difficulties wouldbe removed. Conscious that this may be the case, (for with all heraccomplishments she is a little superstitious,) she desires to see you.You have nothing to fear, sir; she would not for the world yield you herhand, unless in return you could give her your heart. Nor was shewilling you should know that she made this request, but wished me tointroduce you, as it were by stratagem. Confident, however, that youwould thus far yield to the caprice of a lady, I chose to tell you thetruth. She resides near by, and it will not hinder you long."
"It is capriciousness in the extreme," thought Alonzo; but he told thestranger he would accompany him--who immediately stepped into thecarriage, and they drove, by his direction, to an elegant house in astreet at a little distance, and alighted. As they entered the house, aservant handed the stranger a note, which he hastily looked over: "Tellthe gentleman I will wait on him in a moment," said he to the servant,who instantly withdrew. Turning to Alonzo, "a person is in waiting, saidhe, on urgent business; excuse me, therefore, if it is with reluctance Iretire a few moments, after I have announced you; I will soon again bewith you."
They then ascended a flight of stairs: the stranger opened the door of achamber--"The gentleman I mentioned to you madam," he said. Alonzoentered; the stranger closed the door and retired. The lady was sittingby a window at the lower end of the room, but arose as Alonzo wasannounced. She was dressed in sky-blue silk, embroidered with spangledlace; a gemmed _tiara_ gathered her hair, from which was suspended agreen veil, according to the mode of those times; a silken girdle, withdiamond clasps, surrounded her waist, and a brilliant sparkled upon herbosom. "The stranger's description was not exaggerated, thought Alonzo;for, except one, I have never seen a more elegant figure:" and he almostwished the veil removed, that he might behold her features.
"You will please to be seated, sir, she said. I know not how--I feel aninconceivable diffidence in
making an excuse for the inconveniences mysilly caprices have given you."
Enchanting melody was in her voice! Alonzo knew not why, but it thrilledhis bosom, electrified his soul, and vibrated every nerve of his heart.Confused and hurried sensations, melancholy, yet pleasing; transportingas the recurrence of youthful joys, enrapturing as dreams of earlychildhood, passed in rapid succession over his imagination!
She advanced towards him and turned aside her veil. Her eyes weresuffused, and tears streamed down her cheeks.--Alonzo started--his wholeframe shook--he gasped for breath!----"Melissa! he convulsivelyexclaimed,--God of infinite wonders, it is Melissa!"
* * * * *
Again will the incidents of our history produce a pause. Our sentimentalreaders will experience a recurrence of sympathetic sensibilities, andwill attend more eagerly
Alonzo and Melissa; Or, The Unfeeling Father: An American Tale Page 26
