On the 17th of June is the anniversary of my mother's
death. I want you to let us read a Mass for her and to

199



THE SUMMER CHRISTMAS

hold a short commemoration service in this church of
yours she loved so well." - '

" I will come myself," said the old man, trembling.
It was during the following night, in a dream, that
the great thought came to Magda. Eagerly she went
across to Bardwyk, and begged of Count Robert to come.
" I loved her dearly," said Count Robert ; " I cannot
reasonably refuse to be present. Magda, you are a good
girl, I would not hurt your feelings. However, I shall
not sit in our chairs : you must see I have a seat on the
opposite side of the chancel."

Magda stopped at the Pastorage, and held a long
confabulation with the father. He blessed her at
parting, his hand on her sunny young head.
" Your Uncle Robert commg ? " said Uncle Charles.
" WeU, that shall not keep me from being present. We
want such a peace-maker here as your mother, my dear.
The long feud between two families at Bardwyk ended
yesterday, Peter tells me, in a murder."

" God forgive the guilty," said Magda under her
breath.
He glanced across her at quickly. "The Father is
failing fast," she said.
" He will outlive Robert and me," replied Count
Edelstam testily ; " but young people always think the
old are going to die."

" He will never conduct another Christmas Peace-
making," said Magda.
" We shall see when Christmas comes," rephed the
Count defiantly.
