Chapter 16
Reparation
The count, the countess, and the guests who were at the castle, were assembled in the drawing-room when Amelia and Mary entered.
The worthy minister had arrived before them and had been reciting to a deeply-interested audience, the story of James and Mary and their life at Pine Cottage.
He had painted in a touching manner the conduct of the good old man during his residence at Pine Farm, emphasising the love and respect which he bore to the count and his family.
He told of Mary’s activity, of her filial piety, and her patience and modesty, until tears streamed from the eyes of his hearers.
At this moment Countess Amelia, holding Mary by one hand and in the other the basket of flowers, entered the brilliantly lighted room. Mary was welcomed by all, and loaded with congratulations.
The count himself took her kindly by the hand, and said, “Poor child, how pale and thin you look.
“It was our hasty judgment that brought your misery upon you, and we must now spare nothing, that happiness may once more be restored to you, and that the faded flowers may once more bloom on your young cheeks.
“You were driven from your father’s house, but in future you shall have it for your own property.”
The countess kissed Mary, pressed her to her heart, called her, her daughter, and, taking from her finger the ring which had caused so many misfortunes, she said, “Here, my dear child, although your piety is a great deal more precious than the large diamond which sparkles in this ring, you must accept this present as a feeble compensation for the wrong you have suffered, and as a token of the sincere attachment and maternal tenderness I feel towards you.”
With these words, she held out the ring to Mary, who was almost overcome with so much kindness and ready to sink under the weight of the benefits she had received.
Her tears flowed freely, but they were tears of joy.
“Poor child,” said one of the guests, “take what the countess offers you. God has given the count and his wife fortune, but He has given them something more precious—hearts which know how to make the best use 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 with streaming 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 whosoever sincerely honours his parents shall be better for it.
“Take the valuable present with gratitude, and as adversity found you resigned to the Divine will, so in prosperity show yourself grateful to your heavenly Father—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 of her gratitude.
Amelia, who sat by her with the basket of flowers in her hand, was delighted with the generous proceedings of her parents.
Her eyes shone with affection for Mary; and the minister, who had often observed how envious children generally are when their parents exercise their benevolence towards other people, was deeply touched by this disinterested love of Amelia.
“May God,” said he, “reward the generosity of the count and countess. May all that they have done for the poor orphan be rendered to them a hundredfold in the person of their own dear daughter!”✿