Whilst she and Ronald hesitated, Eric spoke again—"My wish has, I believe, been granted, though not in the way I expected. I have got riches, great riches—even the untold wealth of the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus, which is indeed 'better than gold.'"
"Yes," said Ronald, "Eric is right; I do believe that the Lord has indeed given unto us exceeding abundantly above what we desired. He has given to me the desire of my heart—to be a banner-bearer in his glorious army, and to help in some small degree the weak and oppressed ones. And you also, Nora, can say that your wish has been fulfilled. Is it not so?"
And Nora bowed her head in grateful acknowledgment of the fact. She knew in her inmost heart that she too had long ago obtained that which is above rubies.
[CHAPTER XV.]
THE BRIDAL DAY.
"He traineth us,
That we may shine for Him in this dark world,
And bear His standard dauntlessly unfurled;
That we may show
His praise by lives that mirror back His love—
His witnesses on earth, as He is ours above."
THE marriage day had come at last. The quiet ceremony was to take place in the drawing-room of Benvourd House. And Clara was putting the finishing touches to her sister-in-law's bridal dress, and arranging the simple white wreath, with just a small spray of orange-blossom in it, on her head, when a thought struck her.
"Why, Nora," she said, "what has become of the costly diadem of gold and rubies I used to envy you the possession of when we were girls? I don't believe you have ever once worn it."
Nora smiled. "No, Clara, I never have; and now it is mine no longer."
"Why not, dear? Have you given it away? Of course, you were entitled to do so, for it was your own. To whom have you given it?"