Retired to our rooms, Laura and I talked on the same subject until the
clock tolled Christmas, and the neighbouring church bells rang out a
jubilation. And, looking out into the quiet night, where the stars were
keenly shining, we committed ourselves to rest with humbled hearts;
praying, for all those we loved, a blessing of peace and goodwill.
CHAPTER LXXVII
The Shortest and Happiest in the Whole History
In the ensuing Christmas morning I chanced to rise betimes, and entering
my dressing-room, opened the windows and looked out on the soft
landscape, over which mists were still lying; whilst the serene sky
above, and the lawns and leafless woods in the foreground near, were
still pink with sunrise. The grey had not even left the west yet, and I
could see a star or two twinkling there, to vanish with that twilight.
As I looked out, I saw the not very distant lodge-gate open after a brief
parley, and a lady on horseback, followed by a servant, rode rapidly up
to the house.
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