Chapter X

"Dark gathering clouds involve the threat'ning skies,
The billows heave with the impending gloom;
Deep hollow murmurs from the cliffs arise,
Ride on the blast, and urge the howling storm."

[Charlotte Smith: _Elegy I_:

Dark gathering clouds involve the threatening skies,
The sea heaves conscious of the impending gloom,
Deep, hollow murmurs from the cliffs arise;
They come--the Spirits of the Tempest come!]

Several weeks passed away, and Theodore felt all that anxiety and impatience which a separation from a beloved object can produce. He framed a thousand excuses to visit Alida, yet he feared a visit might be premature. He was, however, necessitated to make a journey to a distant part of the country, after which he resolved to see her.

[_A&M_:

A fortnight passed, and Alonzo felt all that anxiety and impatience
which a separation from a beloved object can produce. He framed a
thousand excuses to visit Melissa, yet he feared a visit might be
premature. He was, however, necessitated to make a journey to a
distant part of the country, after which he resolved to see
Melissa.]

He performed the business he went on, and was returning. It was toward evening, and the day had been uncommonly sultry for the autumnal season. A rising shower blackened the western hemisphere; the dark vapours ascended in folding ridges, and the thunder rolled at a distance.

[_A&M_:

He performed his business, and was returning. It was toward evening,
and the day had been uncommonly sultry for the autumnal season. A
rising shower blackened the western hemisphere; the dark vapor
ascended in folding ridges, and the thunder rolled at a distance.]

Theodore saw he should be overtaken by the rain. He discovered an elegant seat about a hundred yards distant from the road; thither he hastened to gain shelter from the approaching storm.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo saw he should be overtaken. He discovered an elegant seat
about one hundred yards distant from the road; thither he hastened
to gain shelter from the approaching storm.]

The owner of the mansion met him at the door, and politely invited him in, while a servant stood ready to take his horse.

[_A&M_:

The owner of the mansion met him at the door, politely invited him
to alight and walk in, while a servant stood ready to take his
horse.]

He was ushered into a large apartment, genteelly furnished, where the family and several young ladies were sitting. As he glanced his eye hastily around the room, he thought he recognized a familiar countenance. A hurried succession of confused ideas for a moment crossed his recollection. In a moment he discovered that it was Alida.

[_A&M_:

He was ushered into a large room neatly furnished, where the family
and several young ladies were sitting. As Alonzo glanced his eyes
hastily around the room, he thought he recognized a familiar
countenance. A hurried succession of confused ideas for a moment,
crossed his recollection.--In a moment he discovered that it was
Melissa.]

By this unexpected meeting they were both completely embarrassed. Alida, however, arose, and, in rather a confused manner, introduced Theodore to the company as the friend of her brother.

[_A&M_:

By this unexpected meeting they were both completely embarrassed.
Melissa, however, arose, and in rather a confused manner, introduced
Alonzo, as the classmate of her brother, to the family of Mr.
Simpson, and the company.]

The rain continued most part of the afternoon. Theodore was urged by the family, and consented to stay the night. A moonlight evening succeeded the shower, which invited the young people to walk in an adjoining garden. Alida informed Theodore that the owner of the mansion was a distant relative of her father, who had two amiable daughters, not far from her own age. She had been invited there to pass a week, and expected to return within two days. "And," she added, smiling, "perhaps, Theodore, we may have an opportunity once more to visit our favourite grove, before winter entirely destroys the remaining beauties of the summer."

[_A&M_:

The rain continued most part of the afternoon, Alonzo was invited,
and consented to stay all night. A moon light evening succeeded the
shower, which invited the young people to walk in an adjoining
garden. Melissa told Alonzo that Mr. Simpson was a distant relative
of her father; his family consisted of his wife, two amiable
daughters, not far from Melissa's age, and one son, named William,
about seventeen years old. She had been invited there to pass a week
and expected to return within two days. And she added, smiling,
"perhaps, Alonzo, we may have an opportunity once more to visit the
bower on my prospect hill, before winter entirely destroys the
remaining beauties of the summer."]

Theodore felt all the force of the remark. He recollected the conversation when they were last at the place she mentioned; and he well remembered his feelings on that occasion.

[_A&M_:

Alonzo felt all the force of the remark. He recollected the
conversation when they were last at the place she mentioned; and he
well remembered his feelings on that occasion.]

"Great changes, indeed," he replied, "have taken place since we were last there;--that they are productive of unexpected and unexampled happiness to me, is due, Alida, to yourself alone."

[_A&M_:

"Great changes, indeed, (he replied) have taken place since we were
last there; that they are productive of unexpected and unexampled
happiness to me, is due, Melissa, to you alone."]

Theodore departed next morning, appointing the next week to visit Alida at her father's house. Thus were the obstacles removed which had presented a barrier to their united wishes. They had not, it is true, been separated by wide seas, unfeeling parents, nor, as yet, by the rigorous laws of war; but vexations, doubts, and difficulties had thus far attended them, which had now happily disappeared, and they calculated on no unpropitious event which might thwart their future happiness.

[_A&M_:

Thus were the obstacles removed which presented a barrier to the
united wishes of Alonzo and Melissa. They had not, it is true, been
separated by wide seas, unfeeling parents, or the rigorous laws of
war; but troubles, vexations, doubts and difficulties, had thus far
attended them, which had now disappeared, and they calculated on no
unpropitious event which might thwart their future union.]

All the hours that Theodore could spare from his studies were devoted to Alida; and their parents began to calculate on joining their hands as soon as his professional term of study was completed.

[_A&M_:

All the time that Alonzo could spare from his studies was devoted to
Melissa, and their parents began to calculate on joining their hands
as soon as Alonzo's professional term of study was completed.]

Hostilities that had previously commenced with England had been followed by several battles. "The panic and general bustle which prevailed at this time, will yet be remembered by many." These circumstances were not calculated to impress the mind of Alida with the most pleasant sensations. She foresaw that the burden of the war must rest on the American youth, and she trembled in anticipation for the fate of Theodore. He, with others, should it continue, must take the field in defence of his country. The effects of such a separation were dubious and gloomy. Theodore and herself frequently discoursed on the subject, and they agreed to form the mystic union previous to any wide separation.

[_A&M_:

The troubles which gave rise to the disseveration of England from
America had already commenced, which broke out the ensuing spring
into actual hostilities, by the battle at Lexington, followed soon
after by the battle at Bunker Hill. The panic and general bustle
which took place in America on these events, is yet well remembered
by many. They were not calculated to impress the mind of Melissa
with the most pleasing sensations. She foresaw that the burden of
the war must rest on the American youth, and she trembled in
anticipation for the fate of Alonzo. He, with others, should the war
continue, must take the field, in defence of his country. The
effects of such a separation were dubious and gloomy. Alonzo and she
frequently discoursed, and they agreed to form the mystic union
previous to any wide separation.]

[[The phrase "actual hostilities" was used earlier.]]

One event tended to hasten this resolution: The attorney in whose office Theodore was engaged received a commission in the new-raised American army, and marched to the lines near Boston. His business was therefore suspended, and Theodore returned to the house of his father. He considered that he could not remain long a mere spectator of the contest, and that it might soon become his duty to take the field, therefore concluded to hasten his marriage with Alida. She consented to the proposition, and their parents made the necessary arrangements for the event.

[_A&M_:

One event tended to hasten this resolution. The attorney in whose
office Alonzo was clerk, received a commission in the new raised
American army, and marched to the lines near Boston. His business
was therefore suspended, and Alonzo returned to the house of his
father. He considered that he could not long remain a mere spectator
of the contest, and that it might soon be his duty to take the
field; he therefore concluded it best to hasten his marriage with
Melissa. She consented to the proposition, and their parents made
the necessary arrangements for the event.]

The place was fixed upon which was to be their future residence. It was a pleasantly situated eminence, commanding an extensive prospect. On the west, forests unevenly lifted their rude heads, with here and there a solitary field, newly cleared, and thinly scattered with cottages. To the east, the eye extended over a soil at one time swelling into woody elevations, and at another spreading itself into vales of the most enchanting verdure. To the north it extended to the palisades, wooded to their summits, and throwing their shadows over intervals of equal wilderness, till at length the eye, wandering far beyond, was arrested in its excursions by the blue mist which hovered over the distant mountains, more grand, majestic, and lofty. The inhabitants around were mild, sociable, moral, and diligent. The produce of their own fields gave them the most of what was necessary, and they were happily free from all dissipation and luxury.

[_A&M_:

They had even fixed upon the place which was to be the future
residence of this happy couple. It was a pleasantly situated
village.... On the west, forests unevenly lifted their rude heads,
with here and there a solitary field, newly cleared, and thinly
scattered with cottages. To the east, the eye extended over a soil,
at one time swelling into craggy elevations, and at another
spreading itself into vales of the most enchanting verdure. To the
north it extended over a vast succession of mountains, wooded to
their summits, and throwing their shadows over intervals of equal
wilderness, till at length it was arrested in its excursions by the
blue mists which hovered over mountains more grand, majestic and
lofty.... The inhabitants of this modern Avernum were mostly
farmers. They were mild, sociable, moral and diligent. The produce
of their own flocks and fields, gave them most of their food and
clothing. To dissipation they were strangers, and the luxuries of
their tables were few.]

Such was the site marked out for the residence of Theodore and Alida. They visited the spot, and were enraptured with its pensive, romantic beauties.

[_A&M_:

Such was the place for the residence of Alonzo and Melissa. They had
visited the spot, and were enraptured with its pensive, romantic
beauties.]

"Here," said Theodore, "we will one day pass our time in all the felicity of mind which the chequered scenes of life will admit. In the spring, we will roam among the flowers; in summer, we will gather strawberries in yonder fields, or raspberries from the adjacent shrubbery. The breezes of fragrant morning and the sighs of the evening gale will be mingled with the songs of the various birds which frequent the surrounding groves. We will gather the bending fruits of autumn, and will listen with pleasure to the hoarse, murmuring voice of winter--its whistling winds, its driving snow and rattling hail--with delight."

[_A&M_:

"Here, (said Alonzo, one day to Melissa) will we pass our days in
all that felicity of mind which the chequered scenes of life admit.
In the spring we will rove among the flowers. In summer we will
gather strawberries in yonder fields, or whortleberries from the
adjacent shrubbery. The breezes of fragrant morning, and the sighs
of the evening gale, will be mingled with the songs of the thousand
various birds which frequent the surrounding groves. We will gather
the bending fruits of autumn, and we will listen to the hoarse voice
of winter, its whistling winds, its driving snow, and rattling hail,
with delight."]

The bright gems of joy glistened in the eyes of Alida as Theodore described this pleasing scene of anticipation.

[_A&M_:

The bright gems of joy glistened in the eyes of Melissa. With Alonzo
she anticipated approaching happiness, and her bosom beat in
rapturous unison.]

Winter came on; it rapidly passed away. Spring advanced, and the marriage day was appointed. Preparations for the hymenial ceremony were making, and invitations had already gone abroad. Albert was particularly sent for, and all was approaching to readiness for this happy event.

[_A&M_:

Winter came on; it rapidly passed away--Spring advanced, and the
marriage day was appointed.
...
Preparations for the hymeneal ceremony were making, and invitations
had already gone abroad. Edgar, the brother of Melissa, had entered
the army in the capacity of chaplain. He was soon expected home,
where he intended to tarry until the consummation of the nuptials,
before he set out for the camp.]

[[The omitted text, concerning Alonzo's military plans, will be
used later in _Alida_.]]

Theodore and Alida again promenaded to the spot which had been chosen for their habitation; they projected the structure of the buildings, planned the gardens, the artificial groves, the walks, and the green retreat of the summer-house; and already they realized in imagination the various domestic blessings and felicities with which they were to be surrounded.

[_A&M_:

About three weeks previous to the appointed marriage day, Alonzo and
Melissa one afternoon rode out to the village which had been chosen
for their future residence.... they projected the structure of the
buildings, planned the gardens, the artificial groves, the walks,
the mead, the fountains and the green retreat of the summer house,
and they already saw, in anticipation, the variousdomestic blessings
and felicities with which they were to be surrounded.]

Nature was adorned with the bridal ornaments of spring; the radiant sun was sinking behind the groves, casting his sable shades over the valley, while the retiring beams of day adorned the distant eastern eminences with yellow lustre; the birds sung melodiously in the grove; the air was freshened by light western breezes, bearing upon their wings all the entrancing odours of the season; while around the horizon clouds raised their brazen summits, based in the black vapour of approaching night; and as its darkening shades were advancing, Theodore and Alida returned home. They seated themselves awhile on the piazza, to contemplate the splendours of the evening, and to witness the beauties of one of the most picturesque draperies painted in the landscape of nature.

[_A&M_:

... nature was adorned in the bridal ornaments of spring; the sun
was sunk behind the groves, which cast their sombre shades over the
valley, while the retiring beams of day adorned the distant eastern
eminences with yellow lustre. The birds sung melodiously in the
grove, the air was freshened by light western breezes, bearing upon
their wings all the entrancing odors of the season. Around the
horizon clouds raised their brazen summits, based in the black vapor
of approaching night.

They slowly ascended the hill south of the town, where they paused a
few moments to enjoy the splendors of the evening scene. This hill,
which commanded a prospect of all the surrounding country, the
distant Sound, and the adjacent towns and villages presented to the
eye, on a single view, perhaps one of the most picturesque draperies
painted by nature.]