"Yes, dear. I intend to wear them to-morrow. I shall try to use all the good gifts that have been bestowed upon me in their season; and I thank God that He has made the world full of beautiful things as well as of useful ones. Now I must lock up these jewels, Mildred, for earthly treasures are a temptation to thieves to break through and steal. What a happy thing that no one can rob us of our heavenly treasures!"
I do not know what possessed me to say, "What are your heavenly treasures, Aunt Milly?"
"My dear, I hope your heart can answer such a question as well as my voice. But I must not forget—you are young; and when I was a girl, I am afraid, I thought more about possessing such things as these diamonds than I did about heavenly riches."
Aunt Milly paused a moment, then she turned her face to me, lighted up with such an expression as I had never seen there before, and said:
"I have a long list, Mildred, all bought for me at a vast cost. There is 'an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.' A place in one of the 'many mansions'—a welcome into the family of God, whose child I am, through adoption in Christ. Yes, Mildred, Denesfield is fair, but it will crumble and decay; these diamonds glitter, but I look for 'a crown of glory, that fadeth not away,' and a home in 'a city that bath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God.' I can dress here in costly clothing; but what is that to the robes washed, the raiment made white, in the blood of the Lamb? Then there are the beloved friends who are gone before, all kept safely in the same treasure-house."
"My dear," exclaimed Aunt Milly, "if I were to go on speaking for ever so long, how could I tell you all? MY earthly treasures were the purchase and gift of my dear husband, and I must leave them behind when I die. My heavenly ones were bought for me by the precious blood of Jesus, and will be mine for all eternity."
Never while I live shall I forget my aunt's face and words. Never before had I understood, so well as then, the difference between earthly and heavenly things. My aunt, possessing all that earth could give—fair home, glittering gems, costly raiment, obedient servants ready to do her bidding—regarded and used them thankfully, yet counted them as but nothing in comparison with the enduring inheritance of God's children. Her words kept coming into my mind even after the arrival of my father, mother, and sisters had given me something else to think of and to do.
[CHAPTER IV]
MORE ABOUT DENESFIELD
WHILE my aunt and mother were enjoying each other's society, I had the pleasure of taking my dear father up and down both park and village. The girls stayed indoors; but my father declared he was not tired. All he wanted after his long ride was the change which would be afforded by walking in the frosty December air. He had a bright word for everybody. To the grooms who were busy in the stables, he gave a pleasant greeting, and said: