, 1871-05-18
THE coA1Ptp48NTs OF PRESEASON

She walked silently through the great
hall, where wreaths hung in gay festoous,
and ladders we're leaned up 10 the walls !;
and pretty faces smiled Of pictures crowned
with misilstoe. au h.
THE rffect of that crimson damask
d,apsrY is very good," said Mrs. Beau>
mont. "Fhs lighr ia trout will warm up
tile corners; though like corners to be a
lieilr mysterious too,
''0h, tsetc wilHbe plenty of mystery
beyond-ibere, where the orange trees
are to be; and don't talk Of mystery.
feel quite i'll. "
- i''Nonsense, dear. You were never il!
when fhs world of good kome wanted
you 20 be WE'LL The mystery is not Of
your making. How thoroughly love.y
ills staircase is Those magnificent old
mirrors are grand on the laudiDg; and
tha full length Of King Charles beauty
banging between them must have seen her
reflection in their bligh ness often. al.
ways feel as if old historical 10, king
glasses-narrow high, pirced between
wrrath$ of painted flowers, as those arc
must be something alive. l admire no
place as much as lavering Castle. Am
to bp in my usual roOnl:' sv
"Yes, this way; we have had an outer
dnor put. Herbert feared it was too
drafty."
Thrn'Ihey emerged from this darktned
entrance into room glowing with Old
giided arm chains with ruby velvet cush-
ions-a dancing. cracking, joy making
wood ire-and lights in candlesIicks of
Baittrsea rnamtl.
But had stranger eyes Seen that bright
ness far the fFst-time. and leit for the first
time the rich warmth of b tn atmosphere
and surroundings, they would yet have
rested OIL one thin9-ome thing only; one
placidly srnied girl in The middle of ihs
room, with the fire light in a glow all over
hsr dor, and with krge, violrt eyrs fixed
on them as those two women walked in.
Lqdy CIavrriug gave little scr,'am md
fell upon her krees, hiding her face in her
hands.
30 mother mother" she cried. : OF
have done i,-donr it ! o mother. mo hrl!"
and she stretched fort her hands toward
the besutiful apparition, who sat still OF a
velvet ottoman, aud who was looking at
her intent'y.
1T is Lady Claveriug, is it," said the
apparition calmly, addressing Mrs Bean
mont. mo one Else, I suppose, would
call you mother" Then she got up, and,
taking Lady ClaveIing in her arms,
helped her to chair; and stopped over
her, kissed her twice. and said, ''Is Lord
Clavpring so very cruel and wicked and
wilful and unfirgiying 1t ought to b.
very easy to forgive, when the injury is a
mere fanciful vpxation, bit OF bruised
pride, or an obstinate adherence to his
own view of thing lie knew nothing
about. Oh. please don't look so scared ;
l have known him for a dozen years insult
relation as Christmas gift in the most
virtuous manner. quite like good Chris
tian. Last year he was too ill 10 read The
yearly offering of Lord Clayering's con-
tinupd evil judgment; ard some one tohl
a fib and said my lord had written kindly
ant. he was very glad. and hoped that all
belonging to him would do their best 10
make peace; and so have. 1t Is the
best / could do; and l have dore il,
thanks to Mrs. Beaumont. l believe the
children think am a newly imported
sort of maid; aud have unlocked all the
boxes, and pulled out gowns aud caps,
and bern asked to the housrkeeper' room
to tea. and said Good gracious! ! in way
that am afraid sent your maid into hys-
terirs."
And then the loveliest woman in the
would. as many might have called her.
brrst ont laughing; and it sremed as ii
silver bells and musical glasses were Sav-
ing duet together of he nature of 4 hap
/ NJ Christmas to y0u, and three hmes three
cheers, and One cheer more.
lis the door locked ;" said Lady Clay-
ering.
Aud then she wiped her eyes, and fax
ing the strangers hand, she kissed a err>
tain finger, which wore certain ring.
| "Oh, you remember lake that as
very kind Of you, bat should like TO hear
YOU say worl of praise or encouragement,
| If ynu can't say word of 1--we. have
twenty thousand pounds, and many Peo-
pie think ne pretty, y,''-tbis was said with
such ridiculous, b1siness>like gravity, that
| Lady Claverin :, in spite of fear and ner-
yousn~ss. laughed so heartily as TO alarm
herself; on which the wonderful stranger,
having walked to the toilette aud back
! presented to hrr dose Of sal-voiatiie,