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. She used to say that she never put them away so carefully in their cases, and locked them up in their strong box, without thinking of God's promise to them that "feared Him, and spake often one to another." The text is in Malachi, and the words are: "And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels." 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. Soon after came a great sorrow. Mr. Dene and my aunt went abroad for the winter; and while travelling together in Southern Italy, he met with an accident, from the effects of which he never recovered. My father went to try to comfort my aunt, and thought she would return to England with him. But she could not bear to think of that fair home where her brightest and happiest years had been spent, and he came back alone, leaving her in Italy. Beautiful Denesfield was deserted, and only a few old servants remained in charge, and looked longingly, year after year, for the return of their mistress. Welland Vicarage, where my youth was passed, was a happy, peaceful place. My dear father was the beloved vicar of the parish, and his wife and children found a welcome in every house, from the cottage to the hall. We knew little of such great wealth as Aunt Milly could command, for Mr. Dene had left all to her; but on the other hand, we were free from those small economies and anxieties which, alas!—harass so many. The income of the vicarage was not large; but my mother's little fortune, and a small property of my father's, made our means quite sufficient. Possessing plenty without luxury, and having occupation without wearing toil, surely we could say that "the lines were fallen unto us in pleasant places." There was no small excitement in our country home when one day my mother, after reading a long letter from her sister, exclaimed: "How glad I am I Aunt Milly is coming home at last!" My father looked up with an expression of pleased surprise; and we four girls plied our mother with questions as to when Aunt Milly would arrive. Would she stay with us at Welland? And if not, where? "Aunt Milly is going to her own home. They are now preparing Denesfield, and in a month she hopes to be settled there."