Barnabas. "Even though the evil remain?"
The Preacher. "Ay, young sir, for then Forgiveness becomes truly
divine."
Barnabas. "Hum!"
The Preacher. "But you eat nothing, young sir."
Barnabas. "I was thinking."
The Preacher. "Of what?"
Barnabas. "Sir, my thought embraced you."
The Preacher. "How, young sir?"
Barnabas. "I was wondering if you had ever heard of a man named
Chichester?"
The Preacher (speaking brokenly, and in a whisper). "Sir!--young
sir,--you said--?"
Barnabas (rising). "Chichester!"
The Preacher (coming to his knees). "Sir,--oh, sir,--this
man--Chichester is he who stole away--my daughter,--who blasted her
honor and my life,--who--"
Barnabas. "No!"
The Preacher (covering his face). "Yes,--yes! God help me, it's true!
But in her shame I love her still, oh, my pride is dead long ago. I
remember only that I am her father, with all a father's loving pity,
and that she--"
Barnabas. "And that she is the stainless maid she always was--"
"Sir," cried the Preacher, "oh, sir,--what do you mean?" and
Barnabas saw the thin hands clasp and wring themselves, even as he
remembered Clemency's had done.
"I mean," answered Barnabas, "that she fled from pollution, and
found refuge among honest folk. I mean that she is alive and well,
that she lives but to bless your arms and feel a father's kiss of
forgiveness. If you would find her, go to the 'Spotted Cow,' near
Frittenden, and ask for 'Clemency'!"
"Clemency!" repeated the Preacher, "Clemency means mercy. And she
called herself--Clemency!" Then, with a sudden, rapturous gesture,
he lifted his thin hands, and with his eyes upturned to the blue
heaven, spoke.
"Oh, God!" he cried, "Oh, Father of Mercy, I thank Thee!" And so he
arose from his knees, and turning about, set off through the golden
morning towards Frittenden, and Clemency.