he breathe a sigh as to Madeline's perfections into the ear of Madeline's brother.
The children,—and there were three or four assembled there besides those belonging to Mrs. Arbuthnot, were by no means inclined to agree with Mr. Graham's strictures as to the amusements of Christmas-day. To them it appeared that they could not hurry fast enough into the vorvex of its dissipations. The dinner was a serious consideration, especially with reference to certain illuminated mince-pies which were the crowning glory of that banquet; but time for these was almost begrudged in order that the fast handkerchief might be tied over the eyes of the first blindman.
'And now we'll go into the schoolroom,' said Marian Arbuthnot, jumping up and leading the way. 'Come along, Mr. Felix;' and Felix Graham followed her.
Madeline had declared that Felix Graham should be blinded first, and such was his doom. 'Now mind you catch me, Mr. Felix; pray do,' said Marian, when she had got him seated in a corner of the room. She was a beautiful fair little thing, with long, soft curls, and lips red as a rose, and large, bright blue eyes, all soft and happy and laughing, loving the friends of her childhood with passionate love, and fully expecting an equal devotion from them. It is of such children that our wives and sweethearts should be made.
'But how am I to find you when my eyes are blinded?'
'Oh, you can feel, you know. You can put your hand on the top of my head. I mustn't speak, you know; but I'm sure I shall laugh; and then you must guess that it's Marian.' That was her idea of playing blindman's buff according to the strict rigour of the game.
'And you'll give me a big kiss?' said Felix.
'Yes, when we've done playing,' she promised with great seriousness.
And then a huge white silk handkerchief, as big as a small sail, was brought down from grandpapa's dressing-room, so that nobody should see the least bit 'in the world,' as Marian had observed with great energy; and the work of blinding was commenced. 'I ain't big enough to reach round,' said Marian, who had made an effort, but in vain. 'You do it, aunt Mad.,' and she tendered the handkerchief to Miss Staveley, who, however, did not appear very eager to undertake the task.
'I'll be the executioner,' said grandmamma, 'the more especially as I shall not take any other share in the ceremony. This shall be the chair of doom. Come here, Mr. Graham, and submit yourself to me.' And so the first victim was blinded. 'Mind you remember,' said Marian, whispering into his ear as he was led away. 'Green spirits and white; blue spirits and gray—,' and then he
