The Basket of Flowers

e judge been so perplexed

the mystery. If I could see any possibility of the ring having been taken by any one else, I should certainly beli

thoroughly; the minutest circumstances being

gainst it the words that Mary had uttered in her examination. It was late at nig

ware that the penalty which the law requires is death. But your daughter is young, and, notwithstanding the serious nature of the crime, if she were to return the ring even now, a pardon might be granted to her. To persist so obstinately in denying her guilt will most certainly end in her death. Go to her, James; insist upon her returning the ring, and

ilt, I know beforehand. But I will speak to her as you desire. I will employ every means to find it out, and if it be that she

turned towards the wall, partially asleep. The light of the lamp woke her from her troubled slumber, and, turning over and seeing her father, she uttered a cry of joy and raised herself hastily, forgetting her chains. Almost fainting, she threw herself up

lf hastily, forge

page

not doubt my innocence. Alas," she continued, weeping bitterly, "is there no one who believe

you entirely. I am only doing now what I

t his daughter and saw her cheeks pale and hollow with grief, her eyes r

t there should be a worse trial to come, more painful sufferings than any you have yet un

thingly, "I care but littl

y dear Mary," said her

myself, all is well. Be sure, my dear father, I fear not to die. I shall go to God; I sha

ughter's words, the ol

s very hard for a man stricken in years, for a tender father to lose his only child, the child of his love, his onl

ry-is it not so? You do not take with you any feeling of hatred towards her. Alas, even upon this bed of straw, and loaded with chains, you are still more happy than she is, living in the Countess's palace and dressed in fine cl

he did. And now the officer wa

is the last time that I am permitted to talk with you, my daughter, at least be sure that I will not

departure. Mary clung to him with all her strength, but her father was obliged t

e judge, he raised his hands to heaven

hter is

was deep

tunately, I must judge the case from the nature of the testimon