Page:Twice-Told Tales (1851) vol 2.djvu/294

 precisely on the pattern of that worn by the visionary Maid. When Cranfield departed on his shadowy search he had bestowed this brooch, in a gold setting, as a parting gift to Faith Egerton.

'So, Faith, you have kept the Heart!' said he, at length.

'Yes,' said she, blushing deeply—then more gaily, 'and what else have you brought me from beyond the sea?'

'Faith!' replied Ralph Cranfield, uttering the fated words by an uncontrollable impulse, 'I have brought you nothing but a heavy heart! May I rest its weight on you?'

'This token, which I have worn so long,' said Faith, laying her tremulous finger on the Heart, 'is the assurance that you may!'

'Faith! Faith!' cried Cranfield, clasping her in his arms, 'you have interpreted my wild and weary dream!'

Yes, the wild dreamer was awake at last. To find the mysterious treasure, he was to till the earth around his mother's dwelling, and reap its products! Instead of warlike command, or regal or religious sway, he was to rule over the village children! And now the visionary Maid had faded from his fancy, and in her place he saw the playmate of his childhood! Would all, who cherish such wild wishes, but look around them, they would oftenest find their sphere of duty, of prosperity, and happiness, within those precincts, and in that station, where Providence itself has cast their lot. Happy they who read the riddle, without a weary world-search, or a lifetime spent in vain!