Having sent his letter off to the post-office, and knowing that several days must elapse before he could hear from the solicitors again, the old gentleman dismissed the matter from his mind, and addressed himself to the enjoyment of the Christmas festival now at hand. Dick arrived from Richmond on Christmas Eve, having in charge several large boxes containing the Christmas presents. Among them were the crib, the perambulator and the hobby horse, which were all deposited for the present in the room selected and fitted up by Anna, as the future play-room of little Master Leonard Lyon. Anna’s and Drusilla’s presents consisted of rich and costly furs and shawls, from the General; and splendid jewels and delicate laces from Dick. The veteran’s gifts were a pair of soft, embroidered velvet slippers and smoking-cap, from Anna; a warm quilted dressing-gown from Drusilla; and a new patent reading-chair of unequalled ingenuity, comfort and convenience, from Dick. Dick’s presents were a fowling-piece of the most superior workmanship, from his uncle; an embroidered cigar case from his betrothed; and a smoking-cap from Drusilla. Besides these, each male and female servant in the house was made happy in the possession of a new and complete Sunday suit. After the distribution of the presents on Christmas morning the family went to church. At the end of the service they returned to an early dinner, and spent the afternoon and evening in social enjoyment. As usual in the Christmas holidays, General Lyon gave one large party, to which he invited all his friends and acquaintances for thirty miles around. And at this party he formally introduced Drusilla as: “My niece, Mrs. Alexander Lyon.” And this he did with so much quiet dignity, as in most cases to repress all expression of surprise from those who could not fail to wonder at such an introduction. And if any had the temerity to utter their astonishment, they were courteously silenced by the answer of the stately old gentleman. “Old people cannot and ought not to choose for their sons in affairs of the heart. I had hoped that my nephew and my granddaughter would have married each other, for my sake; but I was wrong. They have each chosen partners for their own sakes; and they were right. Come here, Dick: Sir and madam, let me present to you Mr. Richard Hammond as my future and well-beloved grandson-in-law.” After that what could the gossips say or do? Of course nothing but bow, courtesy and congratulate; though some among them, being maliciously inclined, and envying the young heiress of Old Lyon Hall her beauty and her wealth, did shrug their shoulders and raise their eyebrows as they whispered together: That it was very strange Miss Lyon’s marriage being put off so frequently and she herself at last passed so carelessly from one bridegroom to another; and that it looked but too likely she would be an old maid after all; for she was getting on well in years now!