CHAPTER XVII.
REPARATION.
The Count, the Countess, and the guests who were at the castle, wereassembled in the drawing-room when Amelia and Mary entered. The worthyminister had arrived before them, and had been reciting to adeeply-interested audience, the story of James and Mary and their lifeat Pine Cottage. He had painted in a touching manner the conduct of thegood old man during his residence at Pine Farm, emphasising the loveand respect which he bore to the Count and his family. He told ofMary's activity, of her filial piety, and her patience and modesty,until tears streamed from the eyes of his hearers.
At this moment the Countess Amelia, holding Mary by one hand and in theother the basket of flowers, entered the brilliantly-lighted room. Marywas welcomed by all, and loaded with congratulations. The Count himselftook her kindly by the hand, and said, "Poor child, how pale and thinyou look. It was our hasty judgment that brought your misery upon you,and we must now spare nothing, that happiness may once more be restoredto you, and that the faded flowers may once more bloom on your youngcheeks. You were driven from your father's house, but in future youshall have it for your own property."
The Countess kissed Mary, pressed her to her heart, called her herdaughter, and, taking from her finger the ring which had caused so manymisfortunes, she said, "Here, my dear child, although your piety is agreat deal more precious than the large diamond which sparkles in thisring, you must accept this present as a feeble compensation for thewrong you have suffered, and as a token of the sincere attachment andmaternal tenderness I feel towards you."
With these words she held out the ring to Mary, who was almost overcomewith so much kindness and ready to sink under the weight of thebenefits she had received. Her tears flowed freely, but they were tearsof joy.
"Poor child," said one of the guests, "take what the Countess offersyou. God has given the Count and his wife fortune, but He has giventhem something more precious--hearts which know how to make the bestuse of riches."
"Why do you flatter us?" said the Countess. "This is not a _generous_action, it is an act of _justice_."
Still Mary hesitated about accepting the valuable gift, and turned withstreaming eyes towards the minister, as if to ask his advice.
"Yes, Mary," said the venerable man, "you must keep the ring. You see,my good child, how God is blessing your filial piety; for whosoeversincerely honours his parents shall be better for it. Take the valuablepresent with gratitude, and as adversity found you resigned to theDivine will, so in prosperity show yourself grateful to your heavenlyFather--grateful to His dear name, benevolent and kind."
Mary put the ring on her finger and attempted to express her thanks,but tears checked her utterance, and were thus the best expression ofher gratitude. Amelia, who sat by her with the basket of flowers in herhand, was delighted with the generous proceedings of her parents. Hereyes shone with affection for Mary; and the minister, who had oftenobserved how envious children generally are when their parents exercisetheir benevolence towards other people, was deeply touched by thisdisinterested love of Amelia. "May God," said he, "reward thegenerosity of the Count and Countess. May all that they have done forthe poor orphan be rendered to them a hundredfold in the person oftheir own dear daughter!"