o Pine Farm, that he might become acquainted with the people who
had entertained Mary and her father so kindly. It was not long before
they gathered from Mary's answers that the old people at Pine Farm were
far from being comfortable, and that their declining years were not so
peaceful as they had a right to expect.

The arrival of a nobleman's carriage at Pine Farm caused no little
excitement. No sooner had the young farmer's wife seen the carriage
stop at the door than she hastened towards it.

"Sir," said she to the Count, "allow me to assist you and also the
ladies, your daughters, I presume."

So saying, she presented her hand to one of the young ladies, when,
recognising her to be Mary herself, she uttered an exclamation of
surprise, let go her hand as if she had touched a serpent, and drew
back in great confusion.

The old farmer was working in his garden when the Count with his family
and Mary alighted; and when they went to the good old man, took him by
the hand, and thanked him for his kindness towards Mary and her father,
the worthy farmer was deeply moved.

"Oh," said he, "I owe that good man more than ever he owed me. The
blessing of heaven came with him into our home, and if I had followed
his advice in everything, I should have been much better for it at this
moment. Since his death I have no pleasure in anything but this garden,
which I began to cultivate at his suggestion. Since I have not had
strength to follow the plough, I have occupied myself here, and I seek
among the herbs and flowers the peace which I can no longer find in my
own house."

In the meantime Mary had gone to look for the old farmer's wife in her
little room, and she now came forward leading her by the hand. The
worthy woman was quite overcome by the strange circumstances in which
she found Mary, and the excitement of the moment; and when she came
forward to meet the Count and Countess, it was with a timid air, and in
evident distress at finding herself the object of so much attention. By
and by, however, she and her husband heard the story of the finding of
the ring, and so great was their affection for Mary that they cried for
joy like children.

"Did I not tell you," said the farmer, addressing Mary, "that your
filial piety would receive its reward? You see, my prophecy is already
fulfilled," and his wife, who had recovered her self-possession, said,
"Yes, yes; your father was right when he said, 'He who clothes the
flower