Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-03-06
VOL. v.

walls had spread round both rooms; the con-
versation now turned entirely on colds and
rheumatisms there was much shivering and
considerable coughing, and the demand for
shawls increased. However, nobody actually
went home in consequence
Papa, said Miss Montague, 'let us all take
French leave as soon as the oysters and chick
en- salad have gone round
Abina now came up to Aunt Quimby,
(gladly perceiving that the old lady looked
tired,) and proposed that she should return to
her chamber, assuring her that the walters
should be punc,ually sent up to her-'I do not
feel quite ready TO go yet,' replied Mrs. Quinn
by. Il am very well here. But you need not
mind me. Go back to your company, and talk
little to those three poor girls in the yellow
frocks, that nobody has spoken to yet, except
Bromley Cheston. When ! am ready to go, l
shall take French leave, as these English peo-
pie call it,
But Aunt Quimby's idea of French leave
was very different from the usual acceptation
of the term; for having always heard that the
French were very polite people, shs con-
cluded that their manner of taking leave must
be particularly respectful and ceremonious. =
Therefore, having paid her parting compli-
ments to Mrs. Potts and the Montagues, she
walked all around the room, curtesying to ev-
cry body and shaking hands, and telling them
she had come to take French leave. To put
an end to this ridiculous scene, Bromley Ches-
ton (who had been on assiduous duty all the
evening,) now came forward and taking the
old lady s arm in his, offered to escort her up
stairs. Aunt Quimby was much ilattered by
this unexpected civility from the finest looking
young man in the room, and she smilingly de-
parted with him, complimenting him on his
politeness, and assuring him that he was a real
gentleman; trying also to make out the degree
of relationship that existed between them.
So much for Buckingham said Cheston,
as he ran down stairs after depositing the old
lady at the door of her room. Fools of all
ranks and of all ages are TO me equally intol-
cradle. | can never marry into such fami-
w.
The party went on.
In the name of heaven Mrs Potts said
Mrs. Montague, what induces you to patron
lie these people!'
why, they are the only tolcrable persons
ill the neighborhood,' answered Mrs Potts,
'and are very kind and oblging in their way
| really think Albina very sweet girl, very
sweet indeed and Mrs. Marsden is rather
amiable, too, quite amiable. And they are so
grateful for any little notice take of them,
that it is really quite affecting. Poor things
how much trouble they have given themselves
in getting up this party. They look as if they
had had hard days work and | have no
doubt they will be obliged, in consequence, TO
pinch themselves for months 10 come; for
very small indeed. As TO this intolerable old
aunt, never saw her befo re ; and as there is
something rather genteel about Mrs. Marsden
and her daughter, rather so at least about AL
bina, did not suppose they had any such re-
latons belonging to them. | think, in future,
must confine myself entirely to the aristocra-
cy.'
I'VE delberated to the last moment said
Mrs. Montague, whether we would come
But as MIR. Montague is going to write his
tour when we return TO England, he thinks ii
expedient to make some sacrifices, for the sake
of seeing the varieties of American society,"
'Oh! these people are not in society," ex-
claimed Mrs. Potts, eagerly. 4 can assure
you these Marsdens have not the slightest pre-
tensions to society. Oh no-I beg of you
not to suppose that Mrs. Marsden and her
daughter are at all in society,"
| This conversation was overheard by Brom-
ley Cheston, and it gave him more pain than
he was willing to acknowledge, even to him
SELF
AT len 9Th all the refreshments had gone
their rounds, and the Montagues had taken
real French leave; but Mrs. Washington
Potts preferred a conspicuous departure, and
therefore made her adieu with view of pro-
ducing great effect. This was signal for
the company to break up, and Mrs. Marsden
gladly smiled them out, while Albina could
have said with Gray's Prophecies
Now my weary lips close,
| Leave me- leave me TO repose."
But, according TO Mrs. Marsden, the worst
of all was the poet, the professedly eccentric
Bewley Garvin Candy, author of the World
of Sorrow, Elegy on Broken heart, Lines on
Suppressed Sigh, Sonnet TO a Hidden Tear,
Stanzas to Faded Hopes, &C., &C., and who