Chapter I: Front Matter

THE BASKET OF FLOWERS

THE BASKET OF FLOWERS

By

CHRISTOPH VON SCHMID

With Illustrations By

WATSON CHARLTON and W. E. EVANS.

Published by JOHN F. SHAW & CO., LTD., 3, Pilgrim Street, London.

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

In putting forward a new edition of _The Basket of Flowers_ no apology is needed. This charming story is now something of a children's classic, and the only merits that the publisher can claim for the present edition are variety in the manner of the illustration and the outward design of the book. To these may be added, perhaps, the further claim that in the present English version, which is copyright, some of the more glaring faults that mar the original translation are avoided. For the rest, it is hoped that the charm of the original has been maintained.

CONTENTS

CHAP. Page

I. THE GARDENER'S DAUGHTER 1
II. THE BASKET OF FLOWERS 12
III. THE MISSING RING 21
IV. MARY IN PRISON 30
V. THE TRIAL 36
VI. A PAINFUL MEETING 42
VII. SENTENCED 49
VIII. FINDING NEW FRIENDS 58
IX. A NEW HOME 65
X. A FATHER'S LAST WORDS 72
XI. MARY'S GREAT LOSS 82
XII. CHANGES AT PINE FARM 90
XIII. AGAIN A WANDERER 97
XIV. A STRANGE MEETING 104
XV. THE YOUNG COUNTESS'S STORY 108
XVI. HOW THE RING WAS FOUND 115
XVII. REPARATION 123
XVIII. PINE FARM REVISITED 127
XIX. RETRIBUTION 134
XX. FORGIVING AN ENEMY 140
XXI. CONCLUSION 145

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

AN OFFICER CAME TO MARY'S CELL _Frontispiece_

_Facing p._

MARY SHYLY OFFERED HER PRESENT 16

"OH, MY FATHER, BE SURE THAT I HAVE NOT THE RING" 32

SHE RAISED HERSELF HASTILY, FORGETTING HER CHAINS 48

SHE THREW THE BASKET AT MARY'S FEET 64

LOOKING UP SHE SAW THE BEAUTIFUL FACE AND FIGURE OF A WOMAN 96

MARY WAS AFFECTED TO THE HEART WHEN SHE HEARD JULIETTE'S STORY 144

THE BASKET OF FLOWERS