Alonzo was now introduced, and took his seat at the side of Melissa. His father and mother came next, who were placed at the right hand of the young couple: Melissa’s parents followed, and were stationed at the left. Edgar then came and took his seat in front; after which the guests were summoned, who filled the room. Edgar then rising, motioned to the intended bride and bridegroom to rise also. He next turned to Alonzo’s father for his sanction, who bowed assent. Then addressing his own father, with emotions that scarcely suffered him to articulate. “Do you, sir, said he, give this lady to that gentleman?” A solemn silence prevailed in the room. Melissa was extremely agitated, as her father slowly rising, and with down-cast eyes,
“Where tides of heavy sorrow swell’d,”
took her trembling hand, and conveying it into Alonzo’s, “May the smiles of heaven rest upon you, he said; may future blessings crown your present happy prospects; and may your latter days never be embittered by the premature loss of near and dear——”
Pungent grief here choaked his utterance, and at this moment Melissa, falling upon her knees, “Dear father! she exclaimed, bursting into tears, pardon deception; acknowledge your daughter—your own Melissa!”
Her father started—he gazed at her with scrutinizing attention, and sunk back in his chair.—“My daughter! he cried—God of mysterious mercy! it is my daughter!”
The guests caught the contagious sympathy; convulsive sobs arose from all parts of the room. Melissa’s father clasped her in his arms—“And do I receive thee as from the dead! he said. I am anxious to hear the mighty mystery unfolded. But first let the solemn rites for which we are assembled be concluded; let not an old man’s anxiety interrupt the ceremony.”
“But you are apprised, sir, said Alonzo, of my inability to support your daughter according to her deserts.”
“Leave that to me, my young friend, replied her father. I have enough: my children are restored, and I am happy.”
Melissa soon resumed her former station. The indissoluble knot was tied: they sat down to the wedding feast, and mirth and hilarity danced in cheerful circles.
Before the company retired, Edgar related the most prominent incidents of Alonzo and Melissa’s history, since they had been absent. The guests listened with attention: they applauded the conduct of our new bride and bridegroom, in which Melissa’s father cordially joined. They rejoiced to find that Alonzo’s father had regained his fortune, and copious libations were poured forth in honour of the immortal Franklin.