whether of pearl, or ruby, or emerald, or carbuncle, or a changeful
opal, or perhaps a priceless diamond, Ralph Cranfield little cared, so
long as it were a heart of one peculiar shape. On encountering this
lovely stranger, he was bound to address her thus: "Maiden, I have
brought you a heavy heart. May I rest its weight on you?" And if she
were his fated bride,--if their kindred souls were destined to form a
union here below, which all eternity should only bind more closely,--
she would reply, with her finger on the heart-shaped jewel, "This
token, which I have worn so long, is the assurance that you may!"

And, secondly, Ralph Cranfield had a firm belief that there was a
mighty treasure hidden somewhere in the earth, of which the burial-
place would be revealed to none but him. When his feet should press
upon the mysterious spot, there would be a hand before him, pointing
downward,--whether carved of marble, or hewn in gigantic dimensions on
the side of a rocky precipice, or perchance a hand of flame in empty
air, he could not tell; but, at least, he would discern a hand, the
forefinger pointing downward, and beneath it the Latin word EFFODE,--
Dig! And digging thereabouts, the gold in coin or ingots, the
precious stones, or of whatever else the treasure might consist, would
be certain to reward his toil.

The third and last of the miraculous events in the life of this high-
destined man was to be the attainment of extensive influence and sway
over his fellow-creatures. Whether be were to be a king, and founder
of an hereditary throne, or the victorious leader of a people
contending for their freedom, or the apostle of a purified and
regenerated faith, was left for futurity to show. As messengers of
the sign, by which Ralph Cranfield might recognize the summons, three
venerable men were to claim audience of him. The chief among them, a