These were presently joined by the company from the house, and the great hall was crowded.
Much to her chagrin, Mrs.Wardour had a severe headache, occasioned by her working half the night at her dress, and was compelled to remain at home.

But she allowed Letty to go without her, which she would not have done had she not been so anxious to have news of what she could not lift her head to see: she sent her with an old servant--herself one of the invited guests--to gather and report.

The dancing had begun before they reached the hall.
Tom Helmer had arrived among the first, and had joined the tenants in their feast, faring well, and making friends, such as he knew how to make, with everybody in his vicinity.

When the tables were removed, and the rest of the company began to come in, he went about searching anxiously for Letty's sweet face, but it did not appear; and, when she did arrive, she stole in without his seeing her, and stood mingled with the crowd about the door.
It was a pleasant sight that met her eyes.

The wide space was gayly illuminated with colored lamps, disposed on every shelf, and in every crevice of the walls, some of them gleaming like glow-worms out of mere holes; while candles in sconces, and lamps on the window-sills and wherever they could stand, gave a light the more pleasing that it was not brilliant.