[Illustration: HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE AN ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY.]
VOL. II.--NO. 60. PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK. PRICE FOUR CENTS.
Tuesday, December 21, 1880. Copyright, 1880, by HARPER & BROTHERS. $1.50 per Year, in Advance.
[Illustration: "WHEN THE CLOCK STRUCK TWELVE."--[SEE NEXT PAGE.]]
The Baron Beautemps, _a wealthy French nobleman_. Henri, _his son, aged twelve_. Lucienne, _his daughter, aged ten_. Gaspard, _serving-man in the château_. Eloise, _maid of the_ Baroness Beautemps.
(_The action passes in the spacious old castle of the_ Baron. _The time is about_ A.D. 1600.)
_A portion of the grand upper hall in the Château de Beautemps. Large antique fire-place at back, in which burns a sleepy wood fire. Tapestried doors R. and L. Also R. and L., beyond either door, entrances to corridors that communicate with main hall. Large draped window R. of fire-place. Near R. door small cabinet, on which is a silver candelabrum with lighted candle. Near door at L. a similar candelabrum resting on heavy carved chair. As curtain rises,_ Henri _and_ Lucienne _are discovered beside chimney-place in act of hanging up stockings before it._ Lucienne _wears a costume of brocaded silken stuff reaching to the ground, and a small velvet hood, whence her hair flows in rich abundance._ Henri _wears doublet with large collar, and knee-breeches._
_Lucienne_ (_going to window, drawing curtains, and looking out. She then comes to front of stage_).
How cold and still! With what an icy glow The stars are shining over the château! And yonder, where the chapel roofs rise dark, The crusted snow gives out a diamond spark. Eleven strokes the great hall clock has rung. Well, brother Henri, is your stocking hung?
_Henri_ (_joining_ Lucienne _at front of stage_).
All's ready, sister; see how slim and white Both stockings glimmer in the doubtful light. I can't help wondering, as I watch them thus, What gifts the Christinas Saint will bring to us.
Oh, everything we've wanted for a year! To me a painted doll in bridal gear; To you a sword, a cup and ball, a top; To me, again--
Lucienne, I pray you, stop. Dear sister, I've a secret to confess.
What is it, Henri? Anything I'll guess? Ah, there! your face reveals it ere you speak: You want a falcon, beautiful and sleek, To hunt with in the spring, when field and glade Hear the sweet bugles of the cavalcade. Who knows?--Perchance good luck your bird may bring, Tied to the chimney by a silken string.