There was one thing which excited my surprise, and that was their anxiety that my aunt should arrange all her affairs and make William Dene's inheritance certain. I did not know that dear Aunt Milly was even then suffering from a disease which left no hope of long life, and that, when she talked to me of her heavenly treasures, she was expecting ere long to enter upon her eternal inheritance.
I was only twenty when Aunt Milly died, rejoicing in her sure and certain hope; her one regret being for those who so tenderly loved and would so sadly mourn for her and miss her.
She left Denesfield to William; and left legacies to the rest of his family, to my sisters, and myself. In addition, she gave me the famous diamonds, as she had always declared she would do; but she made one condition—that, should I desire it, William Dene should pay me the sum of ten thousand pounds instead of the most important ornaments.
My father had experienced some losses a little time before, of which he would not let Aunt Milly know anything; but now I was glad that by leaving the diamonds for the future mistress of Denesfield, I could far more than replace the money. So I wrote and told William Dene that the articles named by my aunt were fit for a lady holding a different position from that of a country clergyman's daughter, and that I would only keep those which she expressly wished me to retain.
The money was duly paid to me; and in handing it to my parents for their use, I was happier than I could have been in possessing the most gorgeous jewels.
The old lady, who had been listened to with the greatest attention by the youngsters round her, here paused for a moment, and a thoughtful-looking lad raised his face, and said:
"Grandmamma, I think I can finish the story."
She smiled gently, and replied, "Go on, Will; and if you are wrong, I will correct you."
"In the first place, then, you got your Aunt Milly's diamonds after all; and you were, and you are, mistress of Denesfield Manor. Grandpapa's name is William Dene, and I am called after him."
"Quite right, dear Will. A year after Aunt Milly's death, William Dene brought me here as his wife, and gave me back my home and Aunt Milly's diamonds. I have had such a happy married life as wives have who can honour their husbands and see in them disciples of the Saviour. We have been spared to see our children grow up, and come in their turn bringing their boys and girls to keep Christmas at Denesfield. God grant to us and all a happy one this year!"