He lov’d the realms of nature to explore;

With lingering gaze Edinian spring survey’d;

Morn’s fairy splendours; night’s gay curtained shade,

The high hoar cliff, the grove’s benighting gloom,

The wild rose, widowed o’er the mouldering tomb;

The heaven embosom’d sun; the rainbow’s dye,

Where lucid forms disport to fancy’s eye;

The vernal flower, mild autumn’s purpling glow,

The summer’s thunder and the winter’s snow.”

It was evening when Alonzo arrived at the house of Edgar’s cousin. Melissa was at a ball which had been given on a matrimonial occasion in the town. Her cousin waited on Alonzo to the ball, and introduced him to Melissa, who received him with politeness. She was dressed in white, embroidered and spangled with rich silver lace; a silk girdle, enwrought and tasseled with gold, surrounded her waist; her hair was unadorned except by a wreath of artificial flowers, studded by a single diamond.

After the ball closed, they returned to the house of Edgar’s cousin. Melissa’s partner at the ball was the son of a gentleman of independent fortune in New-London. He was a gay young man, aged about twenty-five. His address was easy, his manners rather voluptuous than refined; confident, but not ungraceful. He led the ton in fashionable circles; gave taste its zest, and was quite a favorite with the ladies generally. His name was Beauman.

Edgar’s cousin proposed to detain Alonzo and Melissa a few days, during which time 8 they passed in was visiting select friends and social parties. Beauman was an assiduous attendant upon Melissa. He came one afternoon to invite her to ride out;—she was indisposed and excused herself. At evening she proposed walking out with her cousin and his lady; but they were prevented from attending her by unexpected company. Alonzo offered to accompany her. It was one of those beautiful evenings in the month of June, when nature in those parts of America is arrayed in her richest dress. They left the town and walked through fields adjoining the harbour.—The moon shone in full lustre, her white beams 

 Prev. P 4/142 next