Alice and Ellen, accompanied by Mrs. Weston, and some gentlemen from their section of the country, were to attend a private ball, expected to be one of the most brilliant of the season.  Mr. Weston, not feeling well, retired early, preferring to listen to the young ladies’ account of the evening, after his breakfast and newspaper the next morning.  When they were ready to go, they came into Mr. Weston’s parlor, to obtain his commendation on their taste.  Mrs. Weston was there awaiting them; and her own appearance was too striking to be passed over without notice.  She was still really a handsome woman, and her beauty was greatly enhanced by her excellent taste in dress.  Her arms, still round and white, were not uncovered.  The rich lace sleeves, and the scarf of the same material that was thrown over her handsome neck and shoulders, was far more becoming than if she had assumed the bare arms and neck which was appropriate to her daughter.  Her thick dark hair was simply put back from her temples, as she always wore it, contrasting beautifully with the delicate white flowers there.  Her brocade silk, fitting closely to her still graceful figure, and the magnificent diamond pin that she wore in her bosom; the perfect fitness of every part of her apparel gave a dignity and beauty to her appearance, that might have induced many a gay lady who mixes, winter after winter, in the amusements of our city, to go and do likewise.  When youth is gone forever, it is better to glide gracefully into middle age; and if half the time and thought that is expended on the choice of gay colors and costly material, were passed in properly arranging what is suitable to age and appearance, the fashionable assemblies of the present day would not afford such spectacles, as cannot fail both to pain and amuse.

Mr. Weston turned to the door as it opened, expecting the girls to enter; and a little impatient, too, as it was already half-past ten o’clock.  The gentlemen had been punctual to their appointed hour of ten, but declared that three quarters of an hour was an unusually short time to be kept waiting by ladies.  Ellen came first, her tall but well-proportioned figure arrayed in a rose-colored silk of the most costly material.  She wore a necklace and bracelet of pearl, and a string of the same encircled her beautifully-arranged hair.  The rich color that mantled in her cheeks deepened still more, as she acknowledged the salutation of the gentlemen; but Alice, who entered immediately after her, went at once to her uncle, and putting her hand in his, looked the inquiry, “Are you pleased with me?” No wonder the old man held her hand for a moment, deprived of the power of answering her.  She stood before him glowing with health again, the coral lips parted with a smile, awaiting some word of approval.  The deep-blue eyes, the ivory skin, the delicately-flushed cheeks, the oval face, the auburn curls that fell over brow and temple, and hung over the rounded and beautiful shoulders;