Harper's Young People, December 21, 1880

In a grand, candle‑lit hall of a 17th‑century French château, two young siblings—Henri, twelve, and Lucienne, ten—busy themselves with Christmas traditions, hanging stockings and dreaming of the gifts they hope to receive. Their world is one of glittering tapestries, a crackling fire, and the quiet hush of a snowy night, all set against the timeless backdrop of an old castle.

When the clock nears midnight, Henri confides a daring scheme: the children will keep watch together, hoping to catch a glimpse of Saint Nicholas himself as he slips into the hall. Their whispered plans are full of childish imagination and a touch of nervous excitement, as they weigh the thrill of secrecy against the fear of being discovered. The scene captures the magic of a holiday night, the bond between brother and sister, and the mischievous wonder that makes the season unforgettable.