n, they were conducted into the
housekeeper's room, according to orders sent for that purpose, from Mrs.
Aubrey, and each of them received a little present of money, besides a
full glass of Mrs. Jackson's choicest raisin wine, and a currant bun;
Kate slipping half-a-guinea into the hand of their mistress, to whose
wish to afford gratification to the inmates of the Hall was entirely
owing the little incident which had so pleased and surprised them. "A
happy Christmas to you, dear papa and mamma!" said little Aubrey, about
eight o'clock the next morning, pushing aside the curtains, and trying
to clamber up on the high bed where Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey were still
asleep--soon, however, they were awakened by the dear welcome voice! The
morning promised a beautiful day. The air, though cold, was clear; and
the branches of the trees visible from their windows, were all covered
with hoar-frost, which seemed to line them as if with silver fringe. The
little bells of Yatton church were ringing a merry peal; but how
different in tone and strength from the clangor of the London
church-bells!--Christmas was indeed at last arrived--and cheerful were
the greetings of those who soon after met at the bountiful breakfast
table. Old Mrs. Aubrey was going to church with them--in fact, not even
a domestic who could be possibly spared, was to be left at home. By the
time that the carriage, with the fat and lazy-looking gray horses, was
at the Hall door, the sun had burst out in beauty from an almost
cloudless sky. The three ladies rode alone; Aubrey preferring to walk,
accompanied by his little son, as the ground was dry and hard, and the
distance very short. A troop of some twelve or fourteen servants, male
and female, presently followed; and then came Mr. Aubrey, leading along
the heir of Yatton--a boy of whom he might well be proud, as the future
possessor of his name, his fortune, and his honors. When he had reached
the church, the carriage was returning home. Almost the whole
congregation stood collected before the church door, to see the squire's
family enter; and reverent were the courtesies and bows with which old
Mrs. Aubrey and her lovely companions were received. Very soon after
they had taken their places, Mr. Aubrey and his son made their
appearance; objects they were of the deepest interest, as they passed
along to their pew. A few minutes afterwards little Dr. Tatham entered
the church in his surplice, (which he almost always put o