e made up
her terrible falsehood, and her wicked plan succeeded too well. But
that very falsehood was the means of her afterwards losing her place
and our confidence, and that made you dearer than ever to our hearts.
Juliette endeavoured to estrange you from me for ever, and your
banishment was a constant subject of triumph to her.

"You know how that, in her wickedness, she threw this basket at your
feet with an insulting laugh. Well, it was exactly this event which was
afterwards, although she little thought it then, to reunite us for
ever. For was it not indeed through this basket on your father's grave
that I discovered you to-day? Truly, those who have the love of God
have nothing to fear from any enemies. God knows how to turn to our
advantage all the ill that wicked people do to us; and our most cruel
enemies, although for a while they may bring us to unhappiness, can do
nothing but contribute to our real and lasting happiness. We may say in
this case that our safety comes from our enemies.

"But now, dear Mary," said the Countess, "tell me what brought you so
late to your father's grave, and why, when I found you, you were
weeping so bitterly."

When Mary had told her story, of how they had driven her from the Pine
Farm on a false charge, the Countess was astonished still more at the
providence which had brought her and Mary together.

"Yes, indeed," said the Countess to Mary, "it is by God's will that I
have found you to-day, just when you were again plunged into the
deepest distress. You were imploring His assistance with burning tears
running down your cheeks. This is another proof of what we have been
speaking, that God knows how to turn to our advantage the ill which our
enemies design to do us. The farmer's wicked wife, who drove you from
her house, thought she would make you unhappy. Without knowing it she
has brought you to my arms and those of my parents, who, as well as
myself, are desirous of making your life happy.

"But it is now time to set out," said Amelia. "My parents will be
anxious at my long absence. Come, dear Mary, I will never leave you any
more. Let us go to my parents."

CHAPTER XVI.

HOW THE RING WAS FOUND.

The road to the castle towards which the Countess now led Mary, lay
through a long and dark walk of tall old linden trees. For a while they
walked in silence together, each wrapped in her own thoughts, but at
last the Countess said to Mary--

"Oh, I must now tell