‘Now, Cousin Fitzjocelyn, do you think I suppose you so silly—­’

’Soft!  The Dryad of the Enchanted Bower advances.  Her floating robes, her holly crown, beseem her queenly charms.’

‘As if you did not know that it is only Isabel!’

’Only!  May the word be forgiven to a sister!  Isabel!  The name is all-expressive.’

‘She is looking even more lovely than usual,’ said Miss Faithfull.  ‘I never saw such a countenance.’

‘She has a colour to-night,’ added Miss Mercy, ’which does, as you say, make her handsomer than ever.  Dear! dear!  I hope she is not tired.  I am so sorry I did not help her to light the tree!’

‘I do not think it is fatigue,’ said her sister.  ’I hope it is animation and enjoyment—­all I have ever thought wanting to that sweet face.’

‘You are as bad as my prosaic cousin,’ said Louis, ’disenchanting the magic bower and the wood-nymph into fir, wax, and modern young ladyhood.’

‘There, cousin, it is you who have called her a modern young lady.’

Before Louisa had expressed her indignation, there was a call for her.

‘The Sovereign of the Bower beckons,’ said Louis.  ’Favoured damsel, know how to deserve her smiles.  Fairy gifts remain not with the unworthy.’

As he put her forward, some one made way for her.  It was Mary, and he blushed at perceiving that she must have heard all his rhodomontade.  As if to make amends, he paused, and asked for Mrs. Ponsonby.

‘Much more comfortable to-night, thank you;’ and the pleasant, honest look of her friendly eyes relieved him by not reproaching him.

’I wish she were here.  It is a prettier, more visionary sight than I could have conceived.’

’I wish she could see it; but she feared the crowd.  Many people in a room seem to stifle her.  Is Lord Ormersfield here?’

’No, it would not be his element.  But imagine his having taken to walking with me!  I really think he will miss me.’

‘Really?’ said Mary, amused.

’It is presumptuous; but he does not see well at night, and is not quite broken in to his spectacles.  Mary, I hope you will walk over to see after him.  Nothing would be so good for him as walking you back, and staying to dinner with you.  Go right into the library; he would be greatly pleased.  Can’t you make some book excuse?  And you have the cottages to see.  The people inaugurated the boilers with Christmas puddings.’

‘Mr. Holdsworth told us how pleased they were.  And the Norrises?’

’Mrs. Norris is delighted; she has found a woman to wash, and says it will save her a maid.  The people can get milk now:  I assure you they look more wholesome already!  And Beecher has actually asked for two more houses in emulation.  And Richardson found himself turned over to me!’

‘Oh, that’s right.’