The Basket of Flowers

Mary, and it is not surprising that suspicion fell upon the humble flower-girl. Calling Amelia to her, the Countess told her of her loss a

ng on her beautiful dress. She was frightened to see the young Countess en

ng, which she left lying in the room where you were, is lost. No one has be

ace where she stood when she entered the room. But Amelia found it impossible to believe her, and continued to urge her to give up the ring, which she said

e I ventured to touch anything which did not belong to me, mu

Countess's errand, and to him Amelia told the story. Shocked beyond measure at

account to men, but to that God who reads the heart and with whom all false denials amount to nothing. Have you forgotten His holy commandment, 'Thou shalt not steal?' Have you forgotten all the advi

hat I have not the ring. If I had even found such a ring on the road I could not h

stations, "her affection for you is so great that she wishes to save you from the

even the smallest coin, and how should I take anything so valuable as the Cou

sorrow to the grave. Spare me so great an affliction. Before that God who made

most solemn manner that she was innocent of the charge. The old man had pu

ent, and therefore you may take comfort and fear nothing. There is nothing to fear on earth but sin. Prison and death are not to be compared to it. Whatever h

ou have not the ring; but when I examine all the circumstances how can I help believing? My mother says she knows exactly the place where she laid it d

e us for a severe trial, but whatever happens," said he, turning his eye

keep the secret much longer. My father returns to the Castle at noon, and he will certainly ask her where the ring is. It was a gift to her on the day when I was born, and on every succeeding birthday she h

and and with his eyes fixed on the ground. The tears fell down his wrinkled cheeks, and Mary,

and looked for a long time

ook, where integrity and truth are p

will they do to us? I do not fear what they may do to me, but th

ng anything but what is strictly true. If they threaten you, or if they hold out promises, do not depart a hair's-breadth from the truth. Keep your conscience free from offence, for a clear conscience is a soft pillow. Perhaps the

er entered, followed by two constables. Mary uttere

n custody. Set a watch on the house and garden. Make a strict search ever

the officers tore her from the old man's arms.

uriosity. It was curious to notice how diverse were the opinions which were pronounced on the old man and his daughter. They had been kind to all, but there were some who repaid the

ood things to give away. If this is what the old man and his daughter have been doing

re heard to say, "Who would have believed this thing of these good people? Truly it proves that the best of us are liable to fall." But there were others who were persuaded of Mary's innoce

ruit and flowers, stood weeping as they saw