passed away with the flowers for which you were paid so well." So
saying, she threw the basket at Mary's feet, re-entered the Castle, and
banged the door with great violence after her. Mary took the basket in
silence, and, with tears in her eyes, continued her way, while her
father dragged his aged limbs alongside of her.

[Illustration: "She threw the basket at Mary's feet."
_See page 52._]

Many a time on the journey Mary turned back to look, with tear-dimmed
eyes, towards the cottage where they had spent so many happy years,
until the roof of the Castle and even the church steeple disappeared
from her sight. At last they came to the limits of the country beyond
which their exile was to be; and, having conducted them thus far, the
officer left them. They were now in the heart of a forest, and the old
man, though overwhelmed with grief and anxiety for the future, seated
himself upon the grass under the shade of an oak tree and comforted his
daughter.

"Come, my child," said he, taking Mary's hands in his own and raising
them to heaven, "before we go on let us thank God who has taken us out
of the gloomy prison, and allowed us to enjoy once more the sight of
heaven and the freshness of the air; who has saved our lives, and who
has returned you, my dear daughter, to your father's arms." The old man
then fell upon his knees, and out of a thankful heart commended himself
and his daughter to the protection of their heavenly Father.

With the prayer of faith, which was thus offered up, feelings of joy
and courage began to fill their hearts. And now it was seen that God's
providence had not left them. An old huntsman--Anthony by name--with
whom James had been in service when he accompanied the Count on his
travels, had set out before daybreak to hunt a stag, and now came upon
James and his daughter seated under the oak.

"God bless you, James," said Anthony. "It does me good to hear your
voice. Is it then true that they have banished you? Truly it is hard to
see a man obliged, in his old age, to quit his country."

"As far as the reach of heaven extends," answered James, "the earth is
the Lord's, and His kindness is extended to all. Our country--our real
country--is in heaven."

"Tell me," said the huntsman, with sympathy in his face, "if they have
banished you just as you are, without food or clothing necessary for
the journey."

"He who clothes the flowers of the field will know how to provide for
us also!"

"