CHAPTER II.
THE BASKET OF FLOWERS.
One day, early in the charming month of May, Mary went into a wood nearher home to get some branches and twigs of the willow and hazel. Whenher father was not busily engaged in the garden, he occupied his timein making baskets of all sorts, and particularly lady's work-baskets.While he busied himself in this way, Mary read to him from the Bible orsome good book, or, as her father worked, he talked to her about thehighest matters.
While Mary was gathering the materials for her father's basket-work,she found some beautiful specimens of lily-of-the-valley; and,gathering sufficient of the flowers, she made two bunches, one for herfather and the other for herself. After she had finished her work, andwhen she was returning home through a meadow, she met the Countess ofEichbourg and her daughter Amelia who were taking an afternoon walk.The ladies spent the greater part of their time in the city, butoccasionally they lived for a few days at the Castle.
Some of the most important circumstances of life spring from apparentlytrifling events. In the case of Mary, this accidental meeting with theCountess and her daughter proved the beginning of the painfulcircumstances of this story. But God overrules all events, and thistale gives abundant proof that all things work together for good tothem that love God.
As the ladies came near Mary, she stood a little on one side to letthem pass; but when they saw the beautiful bunches of lilies in herhand they stopped to admire them, and wanted to buy one. Maryrespectfully declined to sell her flowers, but she begged that theladies would each accept a bunch. They were so struck with the girl'sunaffected grace and modesty, that they gladly took her littleoffering, and Amelia requested her to gather more and bring them to theCastle every day for the rest of the season.
Mary faithfully performed this duty, and every morning while theflowers were in bloom she carried a bunch of lilies to the young lady.By and by an intimacy, which was something more than ordinary betweentwo girls of such widely different positions, sprang up between Maryand Amelia. They were nearly of the same age, their tastes weresimilar, and it is not surprising that the acquaintance begun in achance manner developed into a sincere friendship.
The anniversary of Amelia's birthday drew near, and Mary determined tomake her some little present. She had given her so many bunches offlowers, that she puzzled her brain to think of some new gift. Duringthe winter her father had been making a beautiful basket, which heintended to give to Mary herself. It was the most finished piece ofwork he had ever done, and he had worked on it a design of the villagein which they lived. Mary's idea now was to fill this basket withflowers, and to offer it to the young Countess as her birthday present.Her father readily fell in with the plan, and added a finishing touchto it by weaving Amelia's name in on one side of the basket and theCount's coat-of-arms on the other.
The long-expected day arrived, and early in the morning Mary gatheredthe freshest and most beautiful roses, the richest pinks, and otherflowers of beautiful colours. She picked out some green branches fullof leaves, and arranged them in the basket, so that all the colours,though perfectly distinct, were sweetly and delicately blended. A lightgarland composed of rosebuds and moss was passed around the basket, andAmelia's name could be distinctly read enclosed in a coronet offorget-me-nots. The basket when completed was a thing of uncommonbeauty.
When Mary went to the Castle with her basket-present, the youngCountess Amelia was sitting at her toilet. Her maid was with her busilyengaged on making her young mistress's head-dress for the birthdayfeast. Mary shyly offered her present, adding the best wishes of herheart for the young Countess's happiness. Amelia received the presentwith unaffected pleasure, and in an impulsive manner she warmlyexpressed her delight, as she viewed first of all the charming flowerswith which the basket was filled, and examined more carefully thebeautiful design of the basket itself.
"Mary shyly offered her present."_See page 15._]
"Dear Mary," she said, "why, you have robbed your garden to make methis present. As for the basket, I have never seen anything sobeautiful in all my life. Come, we will go and show it to my mother."Taking Mary affectionately by the hand, the girls went together to theapartments of the Countess. "See, mother," cried Amelia, "of all mybirthday presents, surely nothing can equal the one I have receivedfrom Mary. Never have I seen so beautiful a basket, and nowhere can youfind such beautiful flowers." The Countess was equally pleased withMary's present, although she expressed herself more moderately. "What acharming basket!" she said, "and its flowers, how beautiful! They areyet wet with dew. The basket of flowers does credit to the taste ofMary but more to the kindness of her heart." Asking Mary to remain inthe room, she made a sign to Amelia to follow her into anotherapartment.
"Amelia," said the Countess, "Mary must not be permitted to go awaywithout some suitable return. What have you to give her?"
Amelia paused for a moment's reflection. "I think," she replied, "oneof my dresses would be a most acceptable gift. For instance, if youwill permit me, my dear mother, that one with the red and white flowerson the deep green ground. It is almost new; I have worn it but once. Itis a little too short for me, but it will almost fit Mary, and she canarrange it herself. She is so handy with her needle. If, therefore, youdo not think the present too valuable----"
The Countess interrupted her. "Too valuable! certainly not. When youwish to give anything it ought to be something good and serviceable.The green robe with the flowers will be very appropriate for Mary."
"Go now, my dear children," said the Countess, when they returned tothe room where Mary was, "take good care of the flowers, that they maynot fade before dinner. I want the guests to admire the basket also,which will be the most beautiful ornament on our table."
Amelia ran to her room with Mary, and told Juliette, her maid, to bringthe dress with the white and red flowers.
"Do you wish to wear that dress to-day, miss?" said her maid.
"No," said Amelia, "I intend to make a present of it to Mary."
"Give that dress away!" replied Juliette hastily. "Does the Countessknow?"
"You forget yourself, I think, Juliette," said Amelia with dignity."Bring me the dress, and give yourself no trouble about the rest."
Juliette turned away hastily, her face burning with anger, and herheart full of spite. Pulling the door of the wardrobe open, she tookfrom it the young Countess's dress. "Oh, I could tear it to pieces,"she said passionately. "This sly Mary has already wormed her way intothe affections of my young mistress, and now she steals from me thisdress which ought to have been mine when the Countess had done with it.I could tear the eyes out of this little flower-girl; but some day Iwill be revenged." For the time being, however, she had to suppress heranger, and, taking the dress on her arm, she returned to her mistressand gave her the dress with a pleasant air.
"Dear Mary," said Amelia, "many of the presents which I have had to-dayhave cost more money than your basket, but none of them have given meso much pleasure. Will you take this dress from me as a token of myaffection, and carry my best wishes to your good old father?"
Mary was not a vain girl, but her eyes sparkled at the sight of thebeautiful dress, which surpassed anything she had ever dreamed ofpossessing. After warm thanks, she kissed the hand of the youngCountess and left the Castle.
Amelia's maid continued her work in silence, but with jealous furyburning at her heart. The many tugs which she gave to the head-dressshe was preparing made Amelia at length inquire--
"Are you angry, Juliette?"
"I should be silly indeed, miss," answered Juliette; "to be angrybecause you choose to be generous."
"That is a very sensible answer, Juliette," replied Amelia, "I hope youmay feel just as sensible."
Meantime Mary ran home to her father to show her new dress. The goodold man, while pleased at his daughter's pleasure, could not helpfeeling a little anxiety when he saw the present. "I would much rather,my child," he said, "that you had not taken the basket to the youngCountess, but it cann
ot be helped now. I fear that this valuablepresent will but rouse the jealousy of some of our neighbours, and,what would be still worse, that it may make you vain. Take care, mydear Mary, that you fall not into this great evil. No costly andbeautiful garments so much adorn a young girl as modesty and goodmanners. It is the Bible that says the ornament of a meek and quietspirit is in the sight of God of great price."