g to God for clearing
her character from every stain of suspicion and establishing her
innocence in the minds of her friends. By the time Amelia had finished
her story, they had arrived at the door of the castle.

CHAPTER XVII.

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 the 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 _jus