A sweet voice , which seemed to come from a deep and tender soul , was warbling a plaintive little air , within . He bent his head , and passed through the lowly door . As his foot sounded upon the threshold , a young woman advanced from the dusky interior of the house , at first hastily , and then with a more uncertain step , till they met face to face . There was a singular contrast in their two figures ; he dark and picturesque , -- one who had battled with the world , -- whom all suns had shone upon , and whom all winds had blown on a varied course ; she neat , comely , and quiet , -- quiet even in her agitation , -- as if all her emotions had been subdued to the peaceful tenor of her life . Yet their faces , all unlike as they were , had an expression that seemed not so alien , -- a glow of kindred feeling , flashing upward anew from half-extinguished embers . `` You are welcome home ! '' said Faith Egerton . But Cranfield did not immediately answer ; for his eye had been caught by an ornament in the shape of a Heart , which Faith wore as a brooch upon her bosom . The material was the ordinary white quartz ; and he recollected having himself shaped it out of one of those Indian arrowheads , which are so often found in the ancient haunts of the red men . It was 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 gayly , `` 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 XXXXX his arms , `` you have interpreted my wild and weary dream ! ''
As at by from in on through to upon with