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

ually changed from perplexity 10 something
like fright. Albina paid her compliments 10
Mrs. Potts, who received her with evident
amazement, and without replying. Mrs
Montague, who sat next to the lady Of the
mansion, opened still wider her immense
eyes, and then TO make assurance douJIy
sure applied her opera-glass Miss Mon
tague first stared and then laughed.
Albina, much disconnected, turned to look
for seat; Mr.. Potts having Withdrawn his
arm. As she retired to the only vacant chair
she heard half whisper running along the
line of ladies, and though she could not dis
tinguish the words so us to make any con-
nected sense of them, she felt that they allu.
ded TO her.
Can believe my eyes 2 said Mrs. Potts.
The assurance of American girls is aston
islins,' said Mrs. Montague.
She was forbidden to come,' said Miss
Montague TO young lady beside her. 'Mrs.
Potts herself forbade her to come
She was actually prohibited resumed
Mrs. Montague, leaning over to Mrs. Jones.
Il sent her myself note OF prohibition,
81 id Mrs. Potts, leaning over to Mrs. Smith.
4 had serious objections 10 having her here
Il never saw such downright impudence,' ;
pursued Mrs. Montague. This suppose is
one Of the consequences of the liberty, and
freedom and independence that you Ameri-
cans are always talking about. must tell
Mr.. Montague, for really this is to good TO
Iose.'
And beckoning her husband 10 come to
her-'My DEAR said she, put down in your
memorandum book. that when American
married ladie invite young ladies' to parties
they on second thoughts forbid them TO come
and that the said American young ladle:
boldly presist in coming, in spite Of that
forbid dance.
Aud she then related TO him the whole
affair at full length, with numerous embel.
lishments, looking all the time at poo,
Albina.
The story was soon circulated round the
| 'oo'i ~ anu anu HO OUt
had candor or kindness enough TO suggest
the possibility Of Miss Marsden's never hav
ing received the note.
Albina soon preceived herself TO be an
object of remark and animadversion, and she
was sadly at loss to divine the cause
The two ladies that were nearest to her rose
up and left their seats, while Two other.
edged their chairs further off She knew M
one, was introduced 10 no one, but she saw
that every one was looking at her as she sa
by herself, alone, conspicuous and abashed
Tea was waiting for lady that always cam,
last, and The whole company seemed to hav,
leisure to gaze on poor Albna and TO wills
per about her.
Her situation now became in;olerabe
She felt that there was nothing left for hel
but TO go home. UnIucky she had ordered
the carriage at eleven o'clock. AT last she
resolved on making a great effort, and on
plea of q violent headache-a plea which
by this time was literally true-to ask Mrs
Potts if she would allow servant to bring a
coach for her.
After several attempts she rose for the
purpose; but she saw at The moment thai
all eyes were turned upon her. She tremb.
lingly and with downcast looks advanced
till she got into the middle of the room, aut
then all her courage deserted her at once
when she heard some one say, wonde
what she is going to do next
She stopped suddenly and stood motion
less, and she saw Miss Potts giggle, and hear'
her say TO a school girl near her 1 suppos
she is going TO make a speech She turnet
very pale, and felt as if she would gladl,
sink into the floor, when suddenly some one
took her hand, and the voice OF Bromle,
Cheston said to her. Albina-Miss Mars
den-lwll conduct you wherever you wisl
to go and then lowering his tone, he asket
her. Why this agitation what has hap.
pened TO distress you!'
Cheston had just arrived from New York
having been detained on the way by ar
accident that happened to one Of the boats
and finding that Mrs. Marsden was in town
and had that day sent several messages fol
him, he repaired Immediately TO her lodgings
He intended declining the invitation OF Mrs
Potts, but when he found that Albina hat
gone thither lie hastily changed his dress
and went to the party. When lie entered
what was his amaZement to see her standing
in the middle of the room, AMI the company
whispering and gazing at her.
Albina, OH hearing the voice Of friend
the voice Of Bromley Cheston, was complete.
ly overcome, rnd she covered her face ane
burst into tears.
'Albina, said Cheston,' will not now
ask an explanation; see that, whatever
may have happened, you had best 60 home.
'Oh! most gladly, most thankfully, she
exclaimed, in a voice almost inarliculate
with sobs.
Cheston drew her arm within his, and
bowling to Mrs. Potts, he led Albina out o.
the apartment, and conducted her to the
staircase, whence she went to the ladies
room 10 compose herself a little, and prepare
for he. departure.
Cheston then sent one servant for car.
riage, and another to tell Mr.. Potts that he
desired to speak with him in the hail. Potts
came out with pale, frightened face, ant
said, Indeed, sir-indeed, had nothing to