"When I gave consent for you to marry my daughter, it was on the conviction that your future resources would be adequate to support her honorably and independently. Circumstances have since taken place, which render this point extremely doubtful...." He paused for a reply, but Alonzo was silent. He continued--".... You may say that your acquirements, your prudence, and your industry will procure you a handsome support. This well may do in single life, but to depend on these for the future exigencies of a family, is hazarding peace, honor and reputation, at a single game of chance. If, therefore, you have no resources or expectations but such as these, your own judgment will teach you the necessity of immediately relinquishing all pretensions to the hand of Melissa"--and immediately left the room.] Why was Theodore speechless through the whole of this discourse? What reply could he have made? What were the prospects before him but misery and wo? Where, indeed, were the means by which Alida was to be shielded from indigence, if connected with his fortunes? [_A&M_: Why was Alonzo speechless through the whole of this discourse?--What reply could he have made? what were the prospects before him but penury, want, misery and woe! Where, indeed, were the means by which Melissa was to be shielded from poverty, if connected with his fortunes.] The idea was not new, but it came upon him at this time with redoubled anguish. He arose and looked around for Alida, but she was not to be seen. He left the house and walked slowly towards Raymond's. At a little distance he met Alida who had been strolling in an adjoining avenue. He informed her of all that had passed; it was no more than they both expected, yet it was a shock their fortitude could scarcely sustain. Disappointment seldom finds her votaries prepared to receive her. [_A&M_: The idea was not new, but it came upon him with redoubled anguish. He arose and looked around for Melissa, but she was not to be seen. He left the house, and walked slowly towards Vincent's. At a little distance he met Melissa, who had been strolling in an adjoining avenue. He informed her of all that had passed; it was no more than they both expected, yet it was a shock their fortitude could scarcely sustain. Disappointment seldom finds her votaries prepared to receive her.] Alida told Theodore that she knew her father's determinations were altogether unchangeable at present. Her brother, she said, would be at home in a few days; how he would act on this occasion, she was unable to say; but were he ever so far their friend, he would have but feeble influence with her father. "What is to be the end of these troubles," continued she, it is impossible to foresee. Let us trust in the mercy of Heaven, and submit to its dispensations. [_A&M_: