It was Christmas evening, and Mrs. Lanier’s beautiful house was bright with lights and flowers, and merry with music and laughter.
There were, besides the little Laniers and Lady Jane, a dozen children or more, who had been invited to see the wonderful Christmas-tree, which Mr. and Mrs. Lanier and Arthur Maynard had spent a good part of the day in decorating. It stood at one end of the drawing-room, and its broad branches were fairly bending beneath the treasures heaped upon them. It glowed and sparkled with the light of a hundred wax candles, reflected over and over by innumerable brilliant objects until it seemed like Moses’s burning bush, all fire and flame; and amid this radiant mass of color and light were the most beautiful gifts for every member of the family, as well as for the happy little visitors. But the object which attracted the most curiosity and interest was a large basket standing at the foot of the tree.
“Whom is that basket for, papa?” asked Ethel Lanier of her father, who was unfastening and distributing the presents.
“We shall see presently, my dear,” replied Mr. Lanier, glancing at Lady Jane, who stood, a radiant little figure, beside Arthur Maynard, watching every movement with sparkling eyes and dimpling smiles.
At last, with a great deal of difficulty, the basket was untied, and Mr. Lanier read in a loud, distinct voice from a card attached to it, “For Lady Jane Churchill. With Arthur Maynard’s love and good wishes.”
“There, I thought it was for Lady Jane,” cried Ethel delightedly. “I know it’s something lovely.”
Mr. Lanier, with no little ceremony, handed the basket to Arthur, who took it and gave it to Lady Jane with a low bow.
“I hope you will like my present,” he said, smiling brightly, while he helped the wondering child untie the strings that fastened the cover.
Her little face was a study of mingled curiosity and expectancy, and her eyes sparkled with eagerness as she bent over the basket.
