{"product_id":"2940148118633","title":"Harper's Young People, December 21, 1880 (Illustrated)","description":"A Christmas Play in One Act.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBY EDGAR FAWCETT.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCHARACTERS.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Baron Beautemps, a wealthy French nobleman.\u003cbr\u003eHenri, his son, aged twelve.\u003cbr\u003eLucienne, his daughter, aged ten.\u003cbr\u003eGaspard, serving-man in the château.\u003cbr\u003eEloise, maid of the Baroness Beautemps.\u003cbr\u003e(The action passes in the spacious old castle of the Baron. The time is about a.d. 1600.)\u003cbr\u003eScene.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 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.\u003cbr\u003eLucienne (going to window, drawing curtains, and looking out. She then comes to front of stage).\u003cbr\u003eHow cold and still! With what an icy glow\u003cbr\u003eThe stars are shining over the château!\u003cbr\u003eAnd yonder, where the chapel roofs rise dark,\u003cbr\u003eThe crusted snow gives out a diamond spark.\u003cbr\u003eEleven strokes the great hall clock has rung.\u003cbr\u003eWell, brother Henri, is your stocking hung?\u003cbr\u003eHenri (joining Lucienne at front of stage).\u003cbr\u003eAll's ready, sister; see how slim and white\u003cbr\u003eBoth stockings glimmer in the doubtful light.\u003cbr\u003eI can't help wondering, as I watch them thus,\u003cbr\u003eWhat gifts the Christinas Saint will bring to us.\u003cbr\u003eLucienne.\u003cbr\u003eOh, everything we've wanted for a year!\u003cbr\u003eTo me a painted doll in bridal gear;\u003cbr\u003eTo you a sword, a cup and ball, a top;\u003cbr\u003eTo me, again—\u003cbr\u003eHenri.\u003cbr\u003eLucienne, I pray you, stop.\u003cbr\u003eDear sister, I've a secret to confess.\u003cbr\u003eLucienne (eagerly).\u003cbr\u003eWhat is it, Henri? Anything I'll guess?\u003cbr\u003eAh, there! your face reveals it ere you speak:\u003cbr\u003eYou want a falcon, beautiful and sleek,\u003cbr\u003eTo hunt with in the spring, when field and glade\u003cbr\u003eHear the sweet bugles of the cavalcade.\u003cbr\u003eWho knows?—Perchance good luck your bird may bring,\u003cbr\u003eTied to the chimney by a silken string.\u003cbr\u003eHenri.\u003cbr\u003eNo, no, Lucienne; in vain your wits would tire\u003cbr\u003eTo guess just what it is that I desire.\u003cbr\u003eI want—come closer; let me speak it low—\u003cbr\u003eI want—\u003cbr\u003eLucienne (in alarm).\u003cbr\u003eWhy, Henri, what disturbs you so?\u003cbr\u003eHenri.\u003cbr\u003eThe wish to look on that famed Saint who brings\u003cbr\u003eAt twelve each Christmas-eve such pretty things;\u003cbr\u003eTo watch old Santa Claus, as plain as day,\u003cbr\u003eSteal to this hall in some mysterious way;\u003cbr\u003eTo mark his long white beard, his elfish mien,\u003cbr\u003eAnd see what others have so rarely seen.\u003cbr\u003eLucienne (agitated).\u003cbr\u003eOh, Henri, brother, I am filled with dread!\u003cbr\u003eHow came so queer a fancy in your head?\u003cbr\u003eHenri.\u003cbr\u003eCall it a whim, freak, folly, if you choose;\u003cbr\u003eOnly keep watch with me. You'll not refuse?\u003cbr\u003eLucienne.\u003cbr\u003eI should not dare! And yet—if I relent—\u003cbr\u003eHenri (kissing her).\u003cbr\u003eDear, kind Lucienne! I thought you would consent.\u003cbr\u003eNow hear my plan. Although a dangerous one,\u003cbr\u003eIts very spice of danger lends it fun.\u003cbr\u003eOur nurse, Florine, till two o'clock at least\u003cbr\u003eWill dance, most likely, at the village feast.\u003cbr\u003eShe's stolen away, and begged me not to tell;\u003cbr\u003eAnd I, be sure, will keep her secret well.\u003cbr\u003eWe to our chambers will meanwhile repair.\u003cbr\u003eAnd till the clock strikes twelve hold vigil there.\u003cbr\u003eThen we shall both glide out on stealthy feet,\u003cbr\u003eAnd—\u003cbr\u003eLucienne.\u003cbr\u003eFeel my heart, Henri. Just hear it beat!\u003cbr\u003eHenri.\u003cbr\u003eOh, nonsense! Think how glorious it will be\u003cbr\u003eTo find him here, and know 'tis really he!\u003cbr\u003eThey say that midnight is his favorite hour\u003cbr\u003eTo show the merry magic of his power.\u003cbr\u003eAnd if we spy upon his movements then,\u003cbr\u003eWe'll see him here alive. Oh, think, Lucienne!\u003cbr\u003eLucienne (starting and looking about).\u003cbr\u003eBut if your plan by any chance he knew,\u003cbr\u003eWhat awful deed might Santa Claus not do?\u003cbr\u003eSuppose that quickly as the turn of dice\u003cbr\u003eHis anger changed us into cats or mice?\u003cbr\u003eSuppose as reindeers he should make us drag,\u003cbr\u003eWith monstrous horns, and feet that never flag,\u003cbr\u003eThe tinkling sled in which he journeys forth\u003cbr\u003eEach Christmas-eve, from wild realms of the North?\u003cbr\u003eHenri (laughing).\u003cbr\u003eA doleful penance for so slight a sin!—\u003cbr\u003eCome; they who nothing venture, nothing win.\u003cbr\u003eLucienne.\u003cbr\u003eBut, mind, we'll only peep from either door;\u003cbr\u003eWe might indeed repent if we did more.","brand":"Lost Leaf Publications","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47108610130160,"sku":"2940148118633","price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940148118633_p0.jpg?v=1763697310","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940148118633","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}