"He tramps the roads hoping to find you, Clemency, and he preaches
at country wakes and fairs because, he told me, he was once a very
selfish man, and unforgiving."
"And--oh, you have seen him, you say,--lately?" she cried.
"Yes. And I sent him to Frittenden--to the 'Spotted Cow.' But
Clemency, he was just a day too late."
Now when Barnabas said this, Clemency uttered a broken cry, and
covered her face.
"Oh, father!" she whispered, "if I had only known,--if I could but
have guessed! Oh, father! father!"
"Clemency, why did you run away?"
"Because I--I was afraid!"
"Of Chichcster?"
"No!" she cried in sudden scorn, "him I only--hate!"
"Then--whom did you fear?"
Clemency was silent, but, all at once, Barnabas saw a burning flush
that crept up, over rounded throat and drooping face, until it was
lost in the dark shadow of her hair.
"Was it--the Viscount?" Barnabas demanded suddenly.
"No--no, I--I think it was--myself. Oh, I--I am very wretched
and--lonely!" she sobbed, "I want--my father!"
"And he shall be found," said Barnabas, "I promise you! But, until
then, will you trust me, Clemency, as--as a sister might trust her
brother? Will you let me take you from this dreary place,--will you,
Clemency? I--I'll buy you a house--I mean a--a cottage--in the
country--or anywhere you wish."
"Oh, Mr. Beverley!" she sighed, looking up at him with tear-dimmed
eyes, but with the ghost of a smile hovering round her scarlet lips,
"I thank you,--indeed, indeed I do, but how can I? How may I?"
"Quite easily," said Barnabas stoutly, "oh quite--until I bring your
father to you."
"Dear, dear father!" she sighed. "Is he much changed, I wonder? Is
he well,--quite well?"
"Yes, he is very well," answered Barnabas, "but you--indeed you
cannot stay here--"
"I must," she answered. "I can earn enough for my needs with my
needle, and poor little Nick is very kind--so gentle and considerate
in spite of his great, rough voice and fierce ways. I think he is
the gentlest little man in all the world. He actually refused to
take my money at first, until I threatened to go somewhere else."
"But how did you find your way to--such a place as this?"
"Milo brought me here."
"The Viscount's little imp of a groom?"
"Yes, though he promised never to tell--him where I was, and Milo
always keeps his word. And you, Mr. Beverley, you will promise also,
won't you?"
"You mean--never to tell the Viscount of your whereabouts?"
Clemency nodded.
"Yes," said Barnabas, "I will promise, but--on condition that you
henceforth will regard me as a brother. That you will allow me the
privilege of helping you whenever I may, and will always turn to me
in your need. Will you promise me this, Clemency?" And Barnabas held
out his hand.