FAITH UNTO DEATH. 159 



answer j but when she found that he was to pass into far lands, to 

 sojourn in strange circles, to spend years away from her, subject 

 to all the dangerous vicissitudes of distance and time — things 

 appalling in the estimate of youth — her heart died within her, tears 

 floated into her eyes, and her cheek became paler than the pearls 

 on her brow. — '* And thou wilt leave me ! — of thine own movement 

 leave me !" uttered she slowly and with deep emphasis, *' thou 

 ■who hast sworn that absence was bitterer than death — thou wilt 

 yet leave me !" and she averted her head half-proudly, and veiled 

 her face from his pursuing gaze with the rich tresses of her auburn 

 hair ; Van Schooreel spoke soothingly and with passionate tender- 

 ness J " Nay — nay," responded she, motioning him away with her 

 hand, while a tear glanced on her cheek, " go ! speed thee as thou 

 "wilt ! in other lands seek fame and fortune and affection — fond 

 hearts and true — the love that dieth not, and the hope that is 

 verified ! Holland hath nought to detain thee I nought that is dear 

 to thee, nought that is worthy of thy trust ! Go ! thou canst be 

 forgotten !" She would have stood aloof, but Schooreel snatched 

 her to his bosom, and solemnly adjured her to believe in his 

 love. The deep sobs of the maiden mingled with the vows of her 

 lover, and it was long before she gathered firmness sufficient to 

 listen to his ardent adieus. Drawing a keen poniard from his vest, 

 Schooreel wound a bright tress round his finger, and with sweet 

 care severed it from the head of his mistress, then pressing it to his 

 lips, he deposited it in his bosom as a memorial of one " never to 

 be forgotten." 



"Take this ! — take this also, and wear it for my sake, and look 

 upon it that thou mayest think of me when others fairer and 

 prouder essay to lure thee from thy faith !" and disengaging the 

 light chain of pearls from her brow, the maiden fastened it round 

 the neck of her lover. 



"And this flower — yea, I will take with me this flower! — this 

 fair rose which thine hand hath cropped ; and it shall whisper me 

 of thee when I am a wanderer afar ; and albeit withered and value- 

 less to others, it shall be unto me dearer than rubies and emeralds ; 

 and when we meet — as shortly we shall, mine Unna — my beloved ! 

 mine idolized ! I will show this sweet token to my bride, and 

 haply she will bethink her of our parting pledge j" and Van Schoo- 

 reel gently taking the rose which his mistress had wreathed in her 

 hair, was about to place it in his vest, when she stayed him, and 

 resuming the bud, divested the stalk of its garniture of thorns, then 

 returned it with a glance of tender eloquence. The youth raised 

 the fair hand to his lips, and with an interchange of tokens and 

 vows, with fond promises and hopes budding in the midst of their 

 sorrow, like the rose that blooms in the snows of December, 

 Schooreel and his betrothed separated. And long did the maiden 

 pause by the green fence where they parted, to catch the last 

 glimpse of his form as his steed bore him too speedily afar, and 

 when the form faded away — when even the white plume was 

 hidden from sight, and the ringing of harness unheard, she turned 



