The letter was in my dear mother's hand, for papa was far too busy to write; but it told that they, with the three girls, would be with us on Christmas Eve.
Now I must tell you that, during all the time of my stay at Denesfield—and I had been there nearly three months—I had never either seen or heard a word about Aunt Milly's diamonds. I often caught myself wondering that these costly jewels, so much talked of by others before I came, were not alluded to now by the owner. My aunt spoke of everything else, I thought; but not of these. Perhaps, after all, she had not kept them. 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."
I followed, saying, "Indeed, Aunt Milly, I do feel eager and restless. As long as there was anything to do in the way of getting ready, I could not move fast enough; but now everything is done."
"Well, Mildred, I am going to show you my diamonds. They have not seen the light for a long time, for they were left at the banker's when my husband and I went abroad; and there they remained until a few days ago, when I had them brought home."
My aunt took out a key, the ring of which she slipped over a flower carved on one of the panels in her room. As she did so a little iron plate flew back, and showed a keyhole, into which my aunt put the key, and on turning it, what I had thought to be a wooden panel moved slowly out, and I found that it was the massive door of an iron safe. Inside were a number of cases; and, taking them out, one after another, she showed me their glittering contents.
I was full of astonishment and delight at the beauty of the gems; and, as Aunt Milly took them out and placed the bracelets on my wrists, the rings on my fingers, and the larger ornaments on neck and hair, I moved about to see their ever-changing hues, and that curious shimmering light which makes them seem almost alive.
"They are very beautiful, Mildred," said my aunt; "and when, sixteen years to-day, my husband gave them to me, I thought I should never be tired of looking at and wearing them. I wore them first on Christmas Day, and for seven Christmas Days after that. Then for eight long years they lay hidden and unused. I almost forgot I possessed them, so absorbed was I with the thought of the treasure of love I had lost. Now, I hope I have learned a better lesson. I believe my treasure is not lost, only laid up amongst my heavenly Father's jewels, to be restored to me again when the summons comes to call me from earth in my turn."
"Do you never mean to wear these again, aunt?" I asked.