“Yes, I can prove to you,” said Mrs. Villars, “that Leonora has forgiven you. It is she who has given you the prize; it was she who persuaded Louisa to give you her vote. I went to see her a little while ago; and perceiving, by her countenance, that something was the matter, I pressed her to tell me what it was.
“‘Why, madam,’ said she, ‘Leonora has made me promise to give my shell to Cecilia. Now I don’t love Cecilia half so well as I do Leonora. Besides, I would not have Cecilia think I vote for her because she gave me a Flora.’ Whilst Louisa was speaking,” continued Mrs. Villars, “I saw this silver box lying on the bed. I took it up, and asked if it was not yours, and how she came by it. ‘Indeed, madam,’ said Louisa, ‘I could have been almost certain that it was Cecilia’s; but Leonora gave it me, and she said that she bought it of the peddler this morning. If anybody else had told me so, I could not have believed them, because I remember the box so well; but I can’t help believing Leonora.’ But did not you ask Cecilia about it? said I. ‘No, madam,’ replied Louisa; ‘for Leonora forbade me. I guessed her reason.’ Well, said I, give me the box, and I will carry your shell in it to Cecilia. ‘Then, madam,’ said she, ‘if I must give it her, pray do take the Flora, and return it to her first, that she may not think it is for that I do it.’”
“Oh, generous Louisa!” exclaimed Cecilia; “but, indeed, Leonora, I cannot take your shell.”
“Then, dear Cecilia, accept of mine instead of it! you cannot refuse it; I only follow your example. As for the bracelet,” added Leonora, taking Cecilia’s hand, “I assure you I don’t wish for it, and you do, and you deserve it.”
“No,” said Cecilia, “indeed, I do not deserve it. Next to you, surely Louisa deserves it best.”
“Louisa! oh, yes, Louisa,” exclaimed everybody with one voice.
“Yes,” said Mrs. Villars, “and let Cecilia carry the bracelet to her; she deserves that reward. For one fault I cannot forget all your merits, Cecilia, nor, I am sure, will your companions.”
“Then, surely, not your best friend,” said Leonora, kissing her.
Everybody present was moved. They looked up to Leonora with respectful and affectionate admiration.
“Oh, Leonora, how I love you! and how I wish to be like you!” exclaimed Cecilia—“to be as good, as generous!”