On these treasures being unpacked, it was discovered that the inventive genius of the old lady of seventy was still undiminished.

For the master of the house there was a game-bag made of interwoven strips of blue and red leather, somewhat in the Indian manner, very curious, and of course, impracticable Malvine received a silklace veil, the pattern in large marsh-mallows--a graceful play upon her name.
Frau Brohl had worked at this masterpiece for a year and a half.

For little Willy, in consideration of the aristocratic propensities one might expect, or at any late encourage, in the heir to a large estate, there was a Flobert rifle, the strap of which was ornamented after an entirely new method by cutting out thin layers of the leather and inserting gilt arabesques and figures.

For the house in general there were some ingenious arrangements in fir cones and small shells.
The Christmas-tree was set up in the great drawing-room on the ground floor and reached almost to the ceiling.

It was a beautiful young fir, so fresh and fragrant of pine that the breath of the woods seemed to cling to it still.