The Basket of Flowers

s as to what the result of the case would be. At the period when Mary lived, the crime of theft was always visited with severe punishme

judge for hours at a time, but, after all had been done, he was unable to persuade himself of Mary's innocence. Amelia and her mother were, as may be imagined, in deep distress, and begged with tear

pushed forward, and whenever Mary heard an officer enter her cell,

utioner at his work, horror seemed to deprive her of her reason. When she sat down to eat she could not swallow a bite, and her spirits became so low that she was an object of general remark. When she retired to rest, her sleep was disturbed by ghastly dre

till now, she had enjoyed, the sentence of death was not to be carried out; but instead, Mary and her father were to be banished from the country, an

t, this wicked girl had recovered her spirits, and once more allowed all her evil feelings against Mary to revive. So far from being sorry for the banishment that was now inflicted upon Mary, she rejoiced in the thought that Mary could no longer be feared as a rival in her mistres

ple as you. Your glory has 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 th

he basket at

page

eeple 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 no

, 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 you

hat God's providence had not left them. An old huntsman-Anthony by name-with whom James had been in service when he accompanied th

ur voice. Is it then true that they have banished you? Truly it i

s, "the earth is the Lord's, and His kindness is exten

face, "if they have banished you just as you are, w

s of the field will know h

ith money?" insisted Anthony, whose kind hea

his trade besides that of gardening, in order that, during the dark winter months, I might have a useful occupation. This has done more for me, and has been better f

ell. I am forced to confess that you are right, and that you have still a goo

places where we are not known. Wher

p the mountains, but I can easily get another. And here," he added, drawing from his pocket a little leath

n remembrance of a generous man; but it is impossible for me to acc

d not pay for the wood which he had bought from the Count. I advanced him the sum, which he paid to the Count, and thought no more about it. Now he has got out of

es for us at the very commencement of our banishment, here almost before we have passed the limits of the country, and sends us our good old friend

ou innocent, and I still think so. Do not despair. Do not surrender your honesty because you are suspected. Y

way through the forest, not knowing at what spot they