— XXXII —CALM BEFORE THE STORM
At Dene Park that Christmas Day was one to be remembered. There was dinner for the tenants and the work-people; a huge Christmas-tree for the children; there were games and dances for their elders. It was honoured in the traditional fashion. The new master and mistress were everywhere, winning golden opinions – she for her youth, and looks and smiles, and pleasant, kindly ways; he for the indefinable, sympathetic something which won him friends wherever friends were to be won. And then he was so tall, and strong, and handsome – so fine a gentleman – one whom any property would be proud to own as master. His smile was like sunshine; his voice like an instrument of many strings, from which he could produce at will the sweetest and merriest notes; he was so obv
