Miss Twinkleton's establishment was about to undergo a serene hush.

The Christmas recess was at hand.

What had once, and at no remote period, been called, even by the erudite Miss Twinkleton herself, 'the half;' but what was now called, as being more elegant, and more strictly collegiate, 'the term,' would expire to-morrow.

A noticeable relaxation of discipline had for some few days pervaded the Nuns' House.

Club suppers had occurred in the bedrooms, and a dressed tongue had been carved with a pair of scissors, and handed round with the curling tongs.