She was to be of the party, and setting forth, they, found the House Beautiful upside down—­even the Faithfull parlour devoted to shawls and bonnets, and the two good old sisters in the drawing-room; Miss Salome, under the protection of little Louisa, in an easy chair, opposite the folding doors.  Small children were clustered in shy groups round their respective keepers.  Lady Conway was receiving her guests with the smile so engaging at first sight, Isabel moving from one to the other with stately grace and courtesy, Virginia watching for Clara, and both becoming merged in a mass of white skirts and glossy heads, occupying a wide area.  Mrs. Frost was rapturously surrounded by half-a-dozen young men, Sydney Calcott foremost, former pupils enchanted to see her, and keeping possession of her all the rest of the evening.  She was a dangerous person to invite, for the Northwold youth had no eyes but for her.

The children were presently taken down to tea in the dining-room by Miss King and Miss Mercy; and presently a chorus of little voices and peals of laughter broke out, confirming the fact, whispered by Delaford to his lady, that Lord Fitzjocelyn had arrived, and had joined the downstairs party.

While coffee went round in the drawing-room, Isabel glided out to perform the lighting process.

‘Oh, Mr. Dynevor!’ she exclaimed, finding him at her side, ’I did not mean to call you away.’

‘Mere unreason to think of the performance alone,’ said James, setting up his trusty ladder.  ’What would become of that black lace?’

‘Thank you, it may be safer and quicker.’

‘So far the evening is most successful,’ said Jem, lighting above as she lighted below.

’That it is!  I like Northwold better than any place I have been in since I left Thornton Conway.  There is so much more heartiness and friendliness here than in ordinary society.

‘I think Fitzjocelyn’s open sympathies have conduced—­’

Isabel laughed, and he checked himself, disconcerted.

‘I beg your pardon,’ she said; ’I was amused at the force of habit.  If I were to say the Terrace chimneys did not smoke, you would say it was Lord Fitzjocelyn’s doing.’

‘Do not bid me do otherwise than keep him in mind.’

Down fell the highest candle:  the hot wax dropping on Isabel’s arm caused her to exclaim, bringing Jem down in horror, crying, ’I have hurt you! you are burnt!’

‘Oh no, only startled.  There is no harm done, you see,’ as she cracked away the cooled wax—­’not even a mark to remind me of this happy Christmas.’

‘And it has been a happy Christmas to you,’ he said, remounting.

’Most happy.  Nothing has been so peaceful or satisfactory in my wandering life.’

‘Shall I find you here at Easter?’

’I fear not.  Mamma likes to be in London early; but perhaps she may leave the school-room party here, as Louisa is gaining so much ground, and that would be a pledge of our return.’