“Then Letty, too--what mother's wealth must I possess since that sweet girl is not the chief of it, the central jewel of my crown? When matched with others of her age--with this Rose Aynton, for example--how bright and fair she shews! Not but that Rose is a good girl, doubtless; accomplished, too, beyond her years, and far beyond her opportunities--she sparkles like a crystal cut in ten thousand facets; but my own Letty is the flawless diamond, bright and pure as light itself. What blessings are these three! May Heaven keep them always as I deem them now. I wish my Walter were a little less impulsive; but the darling boy is young. As for dear Richard, I have no fears for him. The proud lad will find some noble helpmate, meet to----Great Heaven! what is that?” A burst of melody without fell suddenly upon the midnight air, and at the same moment the chamber-door opened to the touch of Mistress Forest, her Ladyship's confidential maid. “I beg your pardon, my Lady, if I startled you; but I knocked twice, and could not make you hear.” “It was not you, Mary, that startled me,” returned Lady Lisgard; “it was the sudden music. The Christmas Waits, as I suppose?” “Yes, my Lady. They came up from the village a little while ago, and have been staying in the servants-hall for the clock to strike twelve.” “I trust they have all had supper?” “You may be sure of that, my Lady. Mrs Welsh is as openhanded (with your Ladyship's property) as any cook in the county; nor is George Steve a likely man to sit thirsty while he sees others drink. One would think that a public-housekeeper should have drinking enough at home; but--pardon, my Lady--I am making complaints which, however just, I know you dislike to hear, and, besides, I am interrupting the carol.” Earthly friends will change and falter, Earthly hearts will vary; He is born that cannot alter, Of the Virgin Mary. Born to-day-- Raise the lay; Born to-day-- Twine the bay. Jesus Christ is born to suffer, Born for you--born for you; Holly, strew: Jesus Christ was born to conquer, Born to save--born to save; Laurel, wave: Jesus Christ was born to govern, Born a king--born a king; Bay-wreaths, bring: Jesus Christ was born of Mary, Born for all. Well befall Hearth and Hall. Here the manly but not unmelodious voices exchanged their verse for prose, if Christmas good-wishes can be said to be mere prose. “A merry Christmas and a happy New Year to your Ladyship, and many on 'em!”