"Have you asked God to forgive you, Maggie?" said Mrs. Ward.
"I cannot, somehow; my heart is so cold. But if--if you would"----
"We will ask Him together," said Mrs. Ward.
There and then she knelt down, and Aneta and Maggie knelt at each side of her, and she said a few words of prayer which touched Maggie's heart as no words had ever touched it before. "Keep from her all hurtful things, and give her those things which are necessary for her salvation," pleaded the mistress.
Suddenly Mrs. Ward's hand was taken by Maggie and covered with kisses. "Oh, I will try!" she said; "I will try hard to be really good! And," she added, "I will take any punishment you give me."
Mrs. Ward looked at her with sparkling eyes. She was a very keen observer of character. She put her hand under the girl's chin and looked into her downcast face.
"My dear," she said, "full and absolute forgiveness means the doing away with punishment. You have suffered sorely; I will not add to your suffering in any way. Now, go and prepare for to-morrow's entertainment.--Aneta, you will stay with me for a few minutes."
Maggie left the room, but in a short time she returned. She carried in her arms the two tin boxes which contained her father's treasures.
"I want you to keep these for me, or to sell them, or to do what you like with them," said Maggie. She then immediately left the room.
Mrs. Ward and Aneta bent over the treasures. Mrs. Ward gave a start of great surprise when she saw them.
"Why, these," she said, "are a fortune in themselves."
"I thought so," said Aneta, her eyes sparkling. "I felt sure of it. We must get that brooch back from Pearce."
"Yes, Aneta; I will send Miss Johnson round for it at once. What did you say he gave Maggie for it?"
"It is very honest of him to offer to restore it to her. Ring the bell, dear, and Lucy Johnson will come."
Miss Johnson was very much interested when she saw the sparkling treasures.
"Maggie's!" she exclaimed. "I am glad she has given them to you to take care of for her. I was always terrified at her keeping such priceless things in her drawer."
Mrs. Ward gave the girl some directions and the necessary money; she went off to fulfill her errand in considerable amazement. Lucy returned in less than half-an-hour with the lovely little brooch, which was immediately added to the collection.