"I am happy. My Master is pleased that I have followed in His footsteps,
and His reward is beyond all price."
But Marietta did not hear.
Before Angel went to rest he placed the Christmas Rose in a goblet of
water, and it lifted up its innocent face and breathed a sweet, faint
perfume. The hours flew by, and towards midnight a curious pink hue
stole over its white petals, the fragrance died away, the luxuriant stem
withered up, and it breathed its last as Christ's birthday passed away.
The star of Bethlehem was alone in the heavens when Night visited the
garden to greet the beauteous flower of the morning, but it had
vanished. In its place was a tear which sparkled like a diamond, the
tear it had shed when yearning to help suffering humanity.