she had made to God to live entirely
to His glory.

To the Countess she related her discovery, and that generous lady sent
the unhappy Juliette medicine, food, and linen, and everything which
might tend to relieve her illness. But it was too late, and at the age
of twenty-three the once beautiful Juliette, reduced to a mere skeleton
and disfigured by disease, died without having given evidence of a
changed heart towards God.

CHAPTER XXI.

CONCLUSION.

The next spring, when the country was covered with verdure and flowers,
the Count, accompanied by his wife, and daughter, and Mary, went to his
home at Eichbourg. Towards evening they approached the village, and
when Mary saw in the light of the setting sun the familiar church
steeple, the Castle, and the cottage where she had spent so many happy
years with her father, she was so deeply touched that tears started to
her eyes.

But in the midst of the sorrowful memories which the scene called up in
her mind, there came to her a devout feeling of thankfulness for the
wonderful way in which God had led her back.

"When I left Eichbourg," she said, "it was in disgrace, and without
ever expecting to come back again. The ways of Providence are
mysterious, but God is good."

When the carriage stopped at the Castle, the servants and officers
belonging to the Count's household were waiting to receive them. Mary
had a warm welcome from them all. Every one showed the greatest joy at
seeing her again, and their congratulations on her innocence having
been proved were manifestly sincere. The old judge who had sent her
into banishment was among those who welcomed her most cordially. Taking
her hand in the presence of all the servants, he asked her pardon for
the mistake he had made. He expressed his gratitude to the Count and
Countess for having so nobly repaired the injustice, assured them that
he reproached himself for the misfortune, and that he was willing to do
everything in his power to discharge his debt.

The exciting day came to an end, and Mary was glad to escape to her
chamber. Next morning, the sun shining brightly into her room woke her
early. As soon as she was dressed she ran to visit her father's
cottage, and to walk once more round the old familiar garden. On her
way she met numbers of the villagers, and all of them showed great
happiness at seeing her.

The old farmer and his wife, who had now been settled some time in the
cottage, were delighted