“Ah, indeed, if that is so—John!” “Yes, sir,” said that functionary coming up. “Tell Jenkins to put the greys to the carriage and go to the ‘Arms’ to wait for Lord Dazzleright.” “Yes, sir!” and this official disappeared. They went down another flight of steps and entered the steward’s room, where about fifty or sixty persons, men, women and children, were assembled. The men were all standing for the want of sufficiency of seats to accommodate their numbers; and the women all sitting, with the children gathered at each mother’s knee, to be kept out of mischief. Four moderate-sized tables were set out and laden with huge loaves of bread and rounds of beef, great cheeses and mammoth seed-cakes—all veritable pieces of resistance. In one corner, under the direction of the butler, stood two grinning footmen, surrounded by several hampers of wine, and flanked by a stand laden with glasses. One of these worthies was engaged in drawing corks, while the other filled the goblets on the stand. At the opposite end of the room, with his firm feet planted upon the rug, and his broad, responsible back toward the fire, stood Mr. Thompson, the steward, to impose decorum by his magisterial presence. Upon the entrance of the Lord of the Manor and his distinguished guest, this “decorum” grew more decorous—took a higher degree. The flunkies at the hampers stopped grinning. The men all bowed. The women all arose and courtesied. Sir Parke received their homage graciously. “I am happy to see you here as usual, my friends. Sit down all of you who can find seats; but you will give the women the preference, I know——Thompson, see that our good friends lack nothing. Brodie, mind that you do not spare the cellars,” said the baronet. A few of the elder and more privileged among the tenants now advanced, bowed to the guest, and shook hands with their landlord, wishing both— “A merry Christmas and many happy returns of the same.” The first course of wine was then served around. And a grey-haired tenant arose in his place and proposed— “Our honored landlord, his family, and his guests—may everlasting happiness be theirs!” The toast was heartily taken up and drank with enthusiasm—for just at Christmas Sir Parke Morelle and his lady were well liked by their dependants—or if they were not, their Christmas cheer _was_, which answered the same purpose. When the uproar of the toast-drinking had subsided, the baronet and his visitor, wishing the assembled people health and prosperity, withdrew, leaving them to their repast. CHAPTER XXVIII. THE EVENING FEAST. “Come to the festal board to-night, For bright-eyed beauty will be there, Her coral lips in nectar steeped, And garlanded her hair.