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. A large party had gathered for
the lighting-up. Beside the relatives of the aristocratic pupils,
who had come over from the estate, there were some neighbors from
the Uhlenhorst, with five or six little children, and the
Chamberlain von Swerte with his high-born wife. The couple were
childless, and not wishing to spend their Christmas alone, had
accepted Paul's invitation, and come all the way from their little
castle near Ronneburg to the Ulhenhorst.
The chamberlain was the lion of the evening. Paul took an
opportunity of whispering to Wilhelm, "Herr von Swerte is of the
House of Hellebrand--one of the first families in the county--
tremendously ancient lot!" Old Frau Brohl had observed the little
gold tab on his coat tail--the chamberlain's sign of office, and
manuevered skillfully in order that she might frequently obtain a
back view, and so gaze upon the proud badge in silent awe and
admiration.
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