CHAPTER XXXI.
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. Sheloved to wander through the shady grove and lonely valley, and adapttheir retirement to her own particular situation. She would often strayas far as the cottage or the farmhouse, at a little distance, and wouldsometimes take the winding path through a beautiful piece of wood whichled to Raymond's, where the thick foliage formed a grateful shade.
There she would indulge herself in solitary thought. "How changeable areall things terrestrial," said she, "the varied year has its seasons, andwinter and summer are constantly in pursuit of each other. The elementsare frequently disturbed by storms and tempests, so, in like manner, isthe human breast at intervals troubled and discomposed, and oftenremains overshadowed with pensive sadness and cheerless reverie; andthese desponding ideas must continue to have influence over the mind,till the sunshine of reason and religion kindly dispels the gloom, andawakens anew the feelings of the heart to the rays of hope and moreenlivening sensations." She had just returned home one afternoon fromRaymond's, when her brother, who had been absent on business to thecity, drove up the avenue, accompanied by Mr. More.
Albert informed his sister of the arrival of Theodore. She almostfainted at the intelligence, so unexpected: and although she wished ofall things, to learn all the circumstances attending his absence, yetshe dreaded the event, to behold him again, fearing the truth ofBonville's suggestions.
In the midst of these thoughts and fears, Theodore alighted at thehouse, and was shown by the servant into the drawing-room.
Theodore, regardless of all around him, as soon as he beheld Alida, hegrasped her hand, exclaiming with rapture, "Has the period at lengtharrived, and am I indeed once more so happy as to meet again mymuch-esteemed and long-lost friend."
Alida gazed on him in silence. He saw her extreme agitation, and afterthey were seated, he observed more particularly her altered appearance.What surprise and grief was manifest in his countenance, when he saw thepaleness of her cheek, and the roses that once spread their healthy hueover them, now seemed fled for ever. In a length of time, she becamesomewhat more composed; but in what light to consider Theodore, she yetdid not know, and former ideas still clouded her imagination.
At length she assumed sufficient courage, to ask him, why he had notthought proper to inform any of his friends of the circumstancesattending his absence.
Theodore could scarcely remain silent while Alida was speaking; he wassurprised beyond all description at what he heard. "Can it be possible,"said he, "that you have missed of information concerning me, when Idelayed not to inform you of all my movements, every opportunity I hadto convey intelligence." He then informed her that the letters had beensent to Raymond, and those for herself were enclosed, and committed tohis care; and through this channel, he had related minutely all thevarious trials and circumstances attending his unexpected journey, andthe cause of his protracted stay. Alida was evidently convinced, andappeared again assured of the truth of her lover. The energy with whichhe spoke, his agitated feelings, joined to the distress visible in hiscountenance, convinced her of his sincerity, at least caused her todoubt, what a few moments before appeared so incontestible: and herpresent happiness fully compensated for the lengthy period of distressand anxiety she had experienced.
Albert was delighted at the return of Theodore, and highly gratified inhis hopes, to find in his early friend, still the man of honour he hadever considered him. He had never once mentioned his name to Alidaduring their separation; although his thoughts often revolved on theunhappy result of their acquaintance, and the future welfare of hissister.
Mr. More was a silent spectator of this joyful meeting. He now beheldthe person who had been so happy as to win the esteem and affections ofAlida, a person that he had heard spoken of, though it had appeared thathe never expected to see.
He witnessed the happy meeting. Sighs and tears from this time were hisonly companions, while his aspect pourtrayed nought but anguish andutter despair. He looked upon this happy pair as already united. He shedtears of evident anguish, when he took leave of Alida, and his lookstold her it must now be forever.
The evening was not far advanced, when Bonville, who was altogetherignorant of Theodore's arrival, unexpectedly made his appearance. Struckwith the utmost consternation at seeing him, he involuntarily receded afew paces, then suddenly advancing, as if recollecting himself, he gavehim his hand with seeming cordiality.
The natural politeness and civility of the other supplied the place of amore cordial reception.
Ten thousand fears at once agitated the bosom of Bonville, while heappeared half frantic with grief and apprehension. Dismay threw a suddencloud over his understanding; he was confused in the extreme. He hadintercepted all the letters of Theodore; he secretly reproached himselffor his treacherous conduct.
He now saw the termination of all his hopes. Disappointment he could notbrook, his pride could never submit to it with any degree ofresignation, and the bitterness that pervaded his mind, almost borderedon phrenzy.
His conscience reproved him for reiterated misrepresentations andcalumnies of Theodore, with which he had harrassed the mind of Alida. Heknew that a discovery must now be made of his perfidy, and on his returnhome to the village, he was confined to his room with a sudden illness,succeeded by a dangerous fever.
Alida; or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War. Page 34