Peter and the rest of his servants were consulted and entered heartily into his plan.  Cards of invitation were issued bearing the Crompton monogram, and a notice inserted in the daily paper to the effect that any who failed to receive a card were to know it was a mistake, and come just the same.  There was a great deal of excitement among the people, for it had been a long time since any hospitality had been extended to them, and they were eager to go, knowing that something fine was to be expected, as the Colonel never did anything by halves.  The day of the lawn-party was perfect—­neither too hot nor too cold—­and the sun which shone upon that humble funeral in the palmetto clearing shone upon a very different scene in the Crompton grounds, where the people began to assemble as early as one o’clock.  The grass on the lawn was like velvet, without a stick or stone to be seen, for two gardeners had been at work upon it since sunrise, cutting and raking, and sprinkling, until it was as fresh as after a soft summer shower.  The late roses and white lilies were in full bloom, the latter filling the air with a sweet odor and making a lovely background.  There were tables and chairs under the maples and elms, and rugs and pieces of carpet wherever there was a suspicion of dampness in the ground.  There was a brass band in one part of the grounds, and a string band in another, where the young people danced under the trees.  Refreshments were served at five o’clock, and the festivities were kept up till the sun went down, and half the children were sick from overeating—­the mothers were tired, and some of the men a little shaky in their legs, and thick in their speech, from a too frequent acquaintance with the claret punch which stood here and there in great bowls, free as water, and more popular.  The crowning event of the day came when the hundreds of lanterns were lighted on the piazzas and in the trees, and every window in the house blazed with candles placed in so close proximity to each other, that objects could be plainly seen at some distance.

The Colonel was going to make a speech, and he came out upon an upper balcony, where the light from ten tall lamps fell full upon him, bringing out every feature of his face distinctly.  He was rather pale and haggard, but the people were accustomed to that, and charged it to the malaria.  He was very distinguished looking, they thought, as they stood waiting for him to commence his speech.  All the afternoon he had been the most courteous of hosts—­a little too patronizing, perhaps, for that was his way, but very polite, with a pleasant word for every one.  He knew he was making an impression, and felt proud in a way as Crompton of Crompton, when he stepped out upon the balcony and saw the eager, upturned faces, and heard the shout which greeted him.  And still there was with him a feeling of unrest—­a presentiment that on his horizon, seemingly so bright, a dark cloud was lowering, which might at any moment burst upon the head he held so high.  He was always dreading it, but for the last few days the feeling had been stronger until now it was like a nightmare, and his knees shook as he bowed to the people confronting him and filling the air with cheers.