“You surely know! I am off to see Sir Parke Morelle at Hyde Hall. Tell them to put up at the ‘Morelle Arms, Hyde.’” “Humph! Do you know that I was due there to eat a Christmas dinner to-morrow? So it may ensue that I shall follow you to assist at that grand pow-wow that must come off to-morrow evening.” “I shall be very well satisfied if you do! Shall I say to Sir Parke that you will come?” “If you please?” “Good-bye, then,” said Lord Montressor, extending his hand. “Bon voyage!” replied the other, pressing the proffered member. And so the companions parted. Lord Montressor re-entered the cab that had, during his visit, waited at the door, and gave the order: “To Western Railway Depot.” The cabman drove on, and in due season reached this place. Lord Montressor entered the cars, which were on the eve of starting, and soon found himself whirled onward toward the Western Grand Junction, which near daybreak he reached. Here he left the cars for the mail-coach that daily passed the village, which was the point of his destination. CHAPTER XXVI. CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE. “The misletoe hung in the castle hall, The holly-branch shone on the old oak wall, The baron’s retainers were blithe and gay, Keeping their Christmas holiday. Oh! the misletoe bough! Oh! the misletoe bough!”—_Old Song._ The sun was rising when the mail-coach arrived at the little hamlet of Hyde, and drew up before the “Morelle Arms.” Bright and gay with misletoe and holly was the little inn. Busy and cheerful was the buxom little landlady. Bustling she hurried out to welcome any chance guests that the mail might have brought her. Evidently she expected some one—probably Lord Dazzleright, for Hyde Hall, so anxious and scrutinizing were the glances she sent into the interior of the coach. Her honest countenance beamed with joy at seeing Lord Montressor alight. Yet still she looked for some one to come after him. No one followed. The stage-coach drove on. The little landlady courtesied. “Welcome back to Devonshire, my lord! Walk in, my lord! This way, my lord! Would your lordship choose breakfast?” she inquired, with busy, respectful solicitude. Yes, his lordship would take breakfast, and afterward a post-chase to Hyde Hall.