The family took an early dinner, and dressed to receive their juvenile company, who were expected to begin to arrive in the afternoon.
Mrs. Anglesea, whose trunk came that morning from Forest Rest, arrayed herself gorgeously in a crimson brocaded satin, trimmed with black lace, necklace and bracelets of heavy California gold, and a brooch and earrings of burning carbuncles.
"None o' your pale, sick pearls, or icy, chilly diamonds for me! I like gems with fire and color in 'em. I do!" she exclaimed, as she drew on a pair of yellow kid gloves over her plump hands, and sailed out of her room, to the great admiration of Luce, who was looking on.
The ladies of the family made some difference in their usual home dress.
Mrs. Force wore a navy-blue silk, with some fine lace on her neck and wrists, and no jewelry.
Odalite wore a white cashmere, trimmed with white satin, a pearl necklace and earrings.
Wynnette and Elva wore their bridesmaids' dresses, with a difference--Wynnette with a coral necklace and earrings, and Elva with a turquoise set.
Miss Meeke wore a brown silk dress, with cameo ornaments.
They were all assembled in the parlor by five o'clock, waiting for their guests, who came a few minutes later.
First came the "break," driven by Le, and loaded with little people presided over by one big one.
They scrambled and tumbled out in a hurry, and ran pellmell into the open door of the hall, where the girls were received with rapture by Wynnette and Elva, who took them upstairs to a well-warmed spare room, where they could lay off their wraps.
The boys were conducted by Le to his own room, to take off their mufflers and to brush their hair.
The simple toilets of the young people took but a short time to arrange, and in fifteen minutes from the time of their arrival they all filed into the drawing room and paid their respects to their host and hostess.
It was now half-past five, and growing dark outdoors.
There was no gas at Mondreer, but there were fine, large chandeliers in every room, and these were all fitted with wax candles, just lighted.
Three very large chandeliers, with quite a grove of wax candles, hung from the ceiling, and filled the drawing room with a mellow light that showed off to the best advantage the youthful beauty assembled there.