On her head was a small crown of gilt paper, with a large gilt star in front, and she carried a gilt wand with a star on the end.
But the masterpiece of the costume, and one that did great credit to the ingenuity of Fräulein, was a pair of wings that were fastened to Patty’s shoulders. They were made of fine net, covered with fringed tissue paper, which had the effect of soft white feathers.
Altogether Patty was a lovely vision, and it is doubtful if “The Christmas Spirit” was represented more beautifully anywhere on earth that Christmas Eve.
She floated about the room, delighted to be “dressed up.”
Then, flying into the hall, she listened over the banister till she heard Adèle’s signal from the piano.
Still listening, she heard Adèle begin to sing softly a carol called “The Christmas Spirit.”
Slowly, in time to the music, Patty came down the great staircase. She paused on the landing, which was but a few steps from the bottom, and standing there, motionless as a picture, joined her voice to Adèle’s.
She sang the beautiful carol, Adèle now singing alto, and the vision of the beautiful Christmas Spirit, and the tones of Patty’s exquisite voice, gave the guests assembled in the hall a Christmas memory that they could never forget.
As the last notes died away, there was a significant pause, and then a storm of applause broke out.
They insisted on another song, but Patty shook her head laughingly, and the next moment Adèle played a merry, rollicking march on the piano and the Lord of Misrule came bounding downstairs. He had a long trumpet in his hand, upon which he sounded a few notes, and then waved his sceptre majestically.