The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-01-22
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Hsath's Book Of Beauty for ls45.
Invited by Mistake. Il
By MRS. AIDA.
Concluded.

niece last week, and, believe, was some
what smitten with the latter
Not the niece who ROW accompanies me
and who is, l am happy 10 say, my constan
Intimate replied Mrs Gerard. She wa:
confined to the house that day by indisposi
ton; her sister Angelica, whom we consider
quite beauty, was then staying with me,
she left me, however, two days afterwards ia
join her family in London. She is 10 be
married in few weeks, and, therefore,
oughtnot to blame her for paying her sister and
myself short visit.
Poor Mrs Gerard she thought she had
made plain straightforward speech and
wondered why Tyrold looked SO mortified,
and Mrs Estcourt looked worried, and Am
herst looked confused, and ali the company
locked much as the audience al the Opera
mouse looked when an apology is made for
the un as odable absence Of the primd donna
through sudken and severe Illness How
simple was the solution of the mystery how
natural did il seem that the Miss Gerard
now present should be invited by mis- take.
1t vas no6ody's fault, yet Mrs Estcourt felt
lhat it was decidedly her own misfortune.
How could she at once acquaint all the fair
enes present with this provoking blunder!
Would they not suppose that she had viola
ted the rules OF her party, and introduced
this unquestionable plain girl 10 cast bur
lesque over The whole thing Nay, might
they not imagine that the arrival Of the dam
sci in question heralded that of score of
similar appearance, and that they were TO be
speedily overwhelmed with an avalanche of
dowdiesl Here, however, were the unwel
come vrsiters, and, apparently, they both felt
quite al their ease.
Mrs Gerard although at first rather startled
by finding that she was in the midst of what
she denominated regular party soon set
tied the matter with herself by declaring
that Chelteuham was such Il gay piuce, she
supposed these were every day doings.' She
was very near sighted, and did not perceive
that the young ladies were at all superior in
appearance to the fresh female buds of par
lies in general; her thoughts, therefore, i'm
mediatel, reverted TO the botanical work, and
Mrs Estcourt gladly accompanied her 10 the
room occupied by the chaperons, and fur
nished her with all ample source OF amuse-
:nent, wishing that she could easily get rid of
the obnoxious niece.
Miss Gerard became more speedily Gu
lightened on the subject; her quick eye
made her aware of the remarkable beauty Of
her fair reig hbors, and, her quick ear made
her mistress or the conversation carried on
by some of them in a whisper, which con-
WINGED her of the circumstances under
which she had been invited by mistake.
Miss Gerard however, looked as tranquil Il
unruffled as Serena, in the 'Triumphs Of
Tember,' might have done in a similar stu
alton. casta complacent glance around her
with eyes that had not the slightest tinge of
envy, and having sufficiently enjoyed the
contemplation, arose 10 pass into the inner
room, thinking that the books OH the table
there would afford her the means OF passing
her time more pleasantly than in listening to
the vapid and desultory discourse of dull
set of people.
Amazing sight! Amherst crossed the
room to address her. Perhaps his motive
was one ofunmixed kindness; he might not
like the bcnefactress of his poor pensiOner to
feel himself neglected. | am afraid, howev-
er, that the wish for little variety had some
thing to do with his action; forsooth 70 say
he found the party extremely stupid, and
had privately whispered to Tyrold that his
aunt, in collecting her assemblage OF beauties
had unwittingly been dealing with him as
pastry cooks are said to deal with their APP
prentices-allOwing them such an initiatory
profuson of sweets that they became indifi-
ereut 10 them ever after
DO net leave u.s. he said, auesting the
steps of Miss Gerard; I'VE are not very
brilliant party but perhaps we may im-
prove
Nay she replied, resuming her seat, Il
was about to leave you because in one sense
nfthe word, you are so very brilliant par
ty, and that feared was injuring the general
effect by remaining. Perhaps, however, was
wrong; there is great virtue in decided
contrast; jewellers always display their dia-
monds upon black velvet, and the pretty ia
COS around me are so numerous, that it must
be quiet refreshing to them to be put in mind
of their advantages, by gazing on plain
one.
Amherst was literally incapable of reply
ing to her.
Queen ANNA walking unhurt over the
burning ploughshares, could not have Of
fered spectacle more surprising TO the wit
nesses of her achievement, than did this
homely young woman, frankly and cheer
fully jesting on her homeluess, to the aston
| ishment of Amherst.
You look surprised, she said with smile,
perhaps YOU expected that | should take
refuge in sarcasm or sulkiness; but believe
me, / feel rather amused than ANNOYED.
Having been aware ofmy plainness ofper-
son from the days of my childhood, and
Having borne the misfortune with praise
sOrthy philosophy, should no more think
of making myself unhappy on the subject,
because accidentally thrown into company
with levy of beauties, than should sit
down to bewail my want of riches II sur
rounded by select detachment of miLi'onatr-
les. am sorry for Mrs Estcourt, for am
afraid the Chel;enham paper will dwell as
numerically on the solitary drawback to her
party, as ruthless critic does on one weak
stanza in the course of clever poem; but
as regards the beauties themselves, am sure
mat In their hearts they must consider me as
lar more desirable visiter than my sister
hngelIca would havs been. She would
nave rendered them dissatisfied with their
Wn attractions; can only increase their
eeiIngs oil self satisfaction.
Miss Gerard had a delightfully."- toned
o'ee, full, clear, sweet, and Beautifully mod
by her side. ''d'' and sat down
How correct are your sentiments he