* * * * * * * *

Evening had come, starlight, moonlight in the great garden at Sherwood
Hall, and a blaze of light indoors, where little feet kept time to
sweet music, and sweeter voices laughed and talked in merry mood.

Princess Polly in white with silver spangles, a silver bandeau holding
her powdered curls in place, looked like a little lady of the time of
Watteau.

Faces and forms were different in character, but the costumes were
similar, because Mrs. Sherwood had asked both boys and girls to come
clad in white, with powdered hair.

It was a Holiday party, and the white costumes suggested the snowy
season.

The walls were hung with holly and mistletoe, and the wreaths and
garlands were tied with scarlet ribbons, while portieres and hangings
were of scarlet brocade.

Rosy cheeks and red lips looked well with the powdered hair, and bright
eyes twinkled beneath snowy bangs.

A slender figure dressed in the gaudy colors of a court jester, skipped
here and there between the dancers making comical jokes, while he
tossed, and nimbly caught a bright colored ball.

Still they danced to merry measures, and from behind a damask curtain
came a slender girl in hues as bright as that of the jester.