And this, perhaps, may be a fitting end to the story, for Henrietta's hard little speck of a heart was softened at last. Her terror and anguish, her real and appalling danger had done their work.
* * * * * *
Some years have passed now since Maureen rescued Henrietta from the back of the tomb of that great Roman lady, Cecilia Metella, and Maureen has long left Felicity to take up other work in other places, to spread her bright influence of love around her more and more, but Henrietta and Daisy are still inmates of Felicity. Strange and extraordinary as it seems, the desire of Maureen's heart has been realised and the once naughty and hopeless Henrietta has now become the greatest comfort of Mrs. Faithful. She is not only the head girl of the school, but she is the one who is always sent for in times of trouble and difficulty. Her fun and wit are as bright as ever, her fiery hair gives her a striking appearance, and she warns the naughty ones when they arrive of their hopeless position, and where poor Miss Pinchin failed, she succeeds. On her lips are the words of kindness, in her heart is as much love as she is capable of. Every one likes her, every one appeals to her.
Dinah says, "I could not do without thee."
Mrs. Faithful has made a request that she may continue at Felicity as long as she likes, as no one ever before so helped her in the school.
Maureen and her Uncle have left Templemore and have gone to live in England. This was a trial to Maureen, for she loved her country people beyond words, but the Rector had grown feeble, sadly so of late, and the Colonel gave up his beautiful place of Rathclaren, or rather he sold it, and he and the Rector live together, while Maureen keeps house for them both.
"They are my dear old men," she says in her sweet voice, and surely no voice could ever be sweeter than hers.
It is easy for Dominic and Denis and Kitty to come to them during the holidays, much easier than to cross over to the "ould, ould country."
Maureen is as fond of Dominic as ever.
"I am happy as the day is long," she said to him one day, "but there is just one thing I miss, Dom, old boy."