CHAPTER IV.
MARY IN PRISON.
We have already said that Mary was in a faint when she was carried offto prison. When she recovered to realise her condition, she burst intopassionate sobbing, but at length, clasping her hands together, shefell down on her knees in prayer. Overcome with terror at hersurroundings, filled with sadness at the thought of being separatedfrom her old father, and wearied with the excitement of the day, shethrew herself upon her hard straw couch and fell into a heavy sleep.
When she awoke it was so dark that she could hardly distinguish asingle object. At first she could not remember where she was. The storyof the lost ring came back to her as a dream, and her first idea wasthat she was sleeping in her own little bed. Suddenly she felt that herhands were chained. Instantly all the sad reality of the past dayflashed upon her mind, and, jumping from her bed, she cried out, "Whatcan I do but raise my heart to God?"
Falling upon her knees, Mary then engaged in prayer. She prayed forherself, that she might be delivered, but especially she prayed for herdear father, that in the trouble which had now come upon him the Lordmight support him. The thought of her father brought a torrent of tearsfrom her eyes and stopped her prayer.
Suddenly the moon, which had been covered with thick clouds, now shonein a clear sky, and, its rays coming through the iron grating in theprison wall, threw a silvery light on the floor of Mary's cell. By thelight thus afforded, Mary could make out the large bricks of which thewalls of her prison were built, the white mortar which united them, theplace in the wall serving as a table on which her meals were placed.Although her surroundings were so miserable, Mary felt that themoonlight had soothed her heart.
To her astonishment, she became conscious of a sweet perfume fillingher cell. Suddenly she remembered that in the morning she had placed inher bosom a bouquet of roses and other sweet flowers which remainedfrom the basket. Taking it in her hand she untied it, and looked at theflowers in the moonlight. "Alas," said she mournfully, "when I gatheredthese rosebuds and forget-me-nots from my garden this morning, whowould have thought that I should be confined in this gloomy prison inthe evening? When I wore garlands of flowers, who would have imaginedthat on the same day I should be doomed to wear iron chains?" Then shethought of her father, and tears fell from her eyes and moistened theflowers which she held in her hand.
"Oh, my father, be sure that I have not the ring."_See page 23._]
"Oh, my dear father," she said, "how this bouquet reminds me of theadvice which you have given me. From the midst of thorns, I pluckedthese rosebuds; and thus I know that joy will come to me from the verytroubles which now cause me pain. If I had attempted with my own handsto unfold the leaves of these rosebuds, they would have perished; butGod with a delicate finger had gradually unfolded their purple cups andshed over them the sweet perfume of His breath. He can disperse theevils which surround me, and make them turn to my good which seemed allevil. Let me then patiently wait His time. These flowers remind me ofHim who created them. I will remember Him as He remembers me.
"These tender forget-me-nots, as blue as the heavens, may even be mysilent consolation in all the sufferings of earth. Here are somesweet-peas with small delicate leaves, half white, half red. The plantgrows and winds itself around a support, that it may not grope in thedust. And while it balances itself above the earth it displays itsflowers, which might be taken for butterflies' wings. In this way Iwill cling to God and by His help raise myself above the miseries ofthis earth. This mignonette is the chief source of the perfume whichfills my cell. Sweet plant, you cheer by your perfume the one whoplucked you from your home in the earth. I will try to imitate you andto do good even to those who without cause have torn me from my gardenand thrown me into this prison. Here is a little sprig of peppermint,the emblem of hope. I also will preserve hope now that the time ofsuffering is come. Here again are two leaves of laurel. They remind meof that crown incorruptible, which is reserved in heaven for all wholove the Lord and have submitted to His will upon the earth. Already Ithink I see it, surrounded with golden rays. Flowers of the earth, youare shortlived, as are its joys. You fade and wither in an instant, butin heaven, after our short suffering on the earth, an unchangeable joyawaits us and an eternal glory in Christ Jesus."
Talking thus to herself, Mary found her heart gradually grow consoled.Suddenly a dark cloud covered the moon; darkness filled the prison. Herflowers were blotted out from her sight, and grief again tookpossession of her heart. But the cloud was merely temporary, and in alittle while the moon reappeared more beautiful than ever. "Thus,"reflected Mary, "clouds can be cast over us, but it is only for alittle, and at the end we shine clearly again. If a dark suspicionhangs over my character, God will make me triumphant over every falseaccusation." The thought brought comfort to her; and Mary, stretchingherself upon her bed of straw, slept as tranquilly as a little child.
In her sleep she dreamed a beautiful dream. It seemed to her that shewas walking by moonlight in a garden which was quite new to her,situated in a wilderness surrounded by a dark forest of oak trees. Bythe light of the moon, which had never appeared to her so brilliant orso beautiful before, she saw hundreds of flowers in this garden,displaying their charms and filling the air with sweet perfume. Best ofall, she dreamed that her father was with her in this beautiful place.The moon shining on his face showed his venerable countenance lightedby a gracious smile. Running to him, she fell on his bosom and shedtears of joy, with which her cheeks were wet when suddenly she awoke.It had only been a dream, but it comforted her heart, and she sleptagain.
Blumenkörbchen. English Page 4
