The holly was not in sprigs, but in enormous branches, that filled the eye with glistening green and red: and, in the embrasure of the front window stood a young holly-tree entire, eighteen feet high, and gorgeous with five hundred branches of red berries.

The tree had been dug up, and planted here in an enormous bucket, used for that purpose, and filled with mold.
Close behind this tree were placed two of the wax pillars, lighted, and their flame shone through the leaves and berries magically.
As Miss Carden entered, on Mr.Raby's arm, her eye swept the room with complacency, and settled on the holly-tree.

At sight of that she pinched Mr.Raby's arm, and cried "Oh!" three times.

Then, ignoring the dinner-table altogether, she pulled her host away to the tree, and stood before it, with clasped hands.

"Oh, how beautiful!" Mr.Raby was gratified.