Ruth Lamb

“ My aunt put her hand to his lips to hinder the further expression of thanks.
"Do not speak of that, William," she replied. "It reminds me that I might have saved you all these years of suffering and anxiety if I had only thought less of myself and more of others. Now about your birthday. Our Christmas this year, please God, will be a double festival. We shall gather all your people, William, and all mine, and we will have our friends and neighbours, rich and poor, to rejoice with us." ”

“ I think I never enjoyed a walk more; and as it was that most delightful of Christmas seasons, not only frosty, but with the moon rising to turn all the frail crystals into shining gems, our stroll home through the park was very lovely.
We had no other guests that night; but we were to have quite a gathering of various ages on Christmas Day. My aunt had taken good care that there should be plenty in every home round Denesfield. There should not be festival in the hall and pinching want in the cottage ”

“ She is my namesake and godchild, and years hence, when your girls, perhaps, have children and homes of their own, Mildred will be mistress here, and the youngsters will talk about another 'Aunt Milly' and her diamonds."
My mother exclaimed, "Hush, dear Milly! Please do not put such a thought into the girl's head. I should never like to think of Mildred filling your place at Denesfield."
"Not while I live, Ellen, of course. Now she is as a daughter to me. You can hardly think how much happiness she has brought to a lonely woman. You must give Mildred to me. ”

“ My aunt married, while very young, the owner of Denesfield Manor, where we are now gathered to spend our Christmas, you know, children. Her husband, Squire Dene, was a very rich man, and the diamonds you have heard so much about were his wedding-gift to Aunt Milly. They were worth many thousands of pounds, and were talked about all over the county.
But though they were so much admired, both for their cost and beauty, I do not think anybody envied Aunt Milly the possession of them.
You know, dears, there is a great difference in the way persons use jewels. ”

“ If people think themselves the better for possessing them, and look down upon their neighbours because they cannot have such costly things, they show a foolish pride and a wrong spirit.
But if they look upon them as beautiful things that God has created, and to which He has been pleased to compare His own beloved servants and children in Christ, just using them in a spirit of thankfulness to their Maker, they will stir up no envy amongst those who do not possess jewels themselves.
I believe that Aunt Milly looked at her diamonds in this way. ”

“ There is 'an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.' A place in one of the 'many mansions'—a welcome into the family of God, whose child I am, through adoption in Christ. Yes, Mildred, Denesfield is fair, but it will crumble and decay; these diamonds glitter, but I look for 'a crown of glory, that fadeth not away,' and a home in 'a city that bath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God.' I can dress here in costly clothing ”

“ My aunt asked the question; but I feel certain she knew what the answer would be, for that quick flush rose to her cheek, and her manner was excited.
"You will not be vexed at me, dear Milly, if I tell you. Stephen says that Edmund Dene's children are the only fitting heirs of Denesfield. He does not, for an instant, deny your perfect right to dispose of the property which is your own, as much as wealth can be, by any human law. We neither of us believe you will ever marry again, therefore the responsibility of disposing of this wealth rests upon you. ”

“ A year after Aunt Milly's death, William Dene brought me here as his wife, and gave me back my home and Aunt Milly's diamonds. I have had such a happy married life as wives have who can honour their husbands and see in them disciples of the Saviour. We have been spared to see our children grow up, and come in their turn bringing their boys and girls to keep Christmas at Denesfield. ”

“ They never desired the inheritance for their children; and when Aunt Milly took the course they always hoped she might be led to take, with regard to her husband's relatives, they were greatly pleased.
There was one thing which excited my surprise, and that was their anxiety that my aunt should arrange all her affairs and make William Dene's inheritance certain. I did not know that dear Aunt Milly was even then suffering from a disease which left no hope of long life, and that, when she talked to me of her heavenly treasures, she was expecting ere long to enter upon her eternal inheritance. ”

“ During those years of mourning she would not care to wear such things; but still, it would be strange for her to part with her husband's gift.
My curiosity was set at rest on the morning of Christmas Eve, when all was ready for our expected dear ones; and there were only the few last hours to while away before their arrival.
"Come up into my room, Mildred," said my aunt. "When we are expecting very dear friends the hours seem as long as days. I will show you some things that you have not yet seen; and looking at them will occupy a little while." ”

“ Then Aunt Milly told me of plans she had formed for the good of those around her, and of her anxiety to consult my father, whose experience was so much greater than her own.
"I wanted him to come here at once; but that cannot be, it seems. I do hope that Christmas will bring not only him, but your mother and sisters to Denesfield. With the whole family gathered round my fireside, Mildred, I should feel as though I belonged to somebody."
My father was always busy amongst his people at Christmas time, contriving comforts for the old, and pleasures for the young ”

“ Aunt Milly told me that the sight of her husband's costly gift made her often pray to be numbered amongst the jewels of the Lord of Hosts.
My dear mother's home was very different from Denesfield. Her husband was a clergyman; and though for a few years the sisters lived near each other, my parents removed to Welland Vicarage whilst we children were quite young, and then we were a hundred and fifty miles from Aunt Milly and Denesfield. ”

“ Stephen has heard a good deal about him from an old college friend, and he says what a fine young fellow he is, how hard he is working, denying himself every indulgence that he may not be a burden to his mother, and earning money by private teaching even while a student himself. ”

“ My aunt asked questions about my parents and sisters; but beyond telling her of them, and delivering the loving messages with which I was charged, there was little time for conversation. It was evening when I arrived, so Aunt Milly kindly insisted that I should go to bed early.
"I want you to be quite rested after your long journey, dear," she said, "so as to be ready to make acquaintance with all the ins and outs of Denesfield."
"Indeed, aunt," I replied, "I am not at all weary. It is very nice to travel when one leaves home so seldom."
"True, my child. At sixteen, we know little of weariness ”

“ I hardly knew what to say, except that we were all so glad at home to think of having Aunt Milly back in England again, and how we all hoped she would have many happy years.
"You must be my helper, Mildred. My desire is that we may together find a welcome, not only in rich homes, but in those of the poor whom I have neglected too long."
"I have been used to such work, aunt," I said. "As papa is a clergyman, he has found us plenty of visiting ”