Here they found Faith, in a state of high excitement. "I,"--she said,
seizing the old man's hands, while the tears streamed down her cheeks;
"I am to blame for this persecution. O, Father Holden, if I had not
begged, and almost forced you to go with us that evening, this would
not have happened."

"Dear child!" said Holden, "afflict not thyself. Thou and I are but
as flying dust on the eternal wheels of destiny. Fear not, nor let
thy heart be troubled. Even yet, the Lord will make bare his arm and I
shall escape, even as a bird from the snare of the fowler."

But Faith partook not of the enthusiast's confidence. To her alarmed
imagination, the deliverance of Holden seemed as improbable as that
of Daniel from the den of lions, and the impending doom almost
as dreadful as that destined for the prophet. She knew what the
consequences would be were Holden found guilty; for, soon after the
reading of the warrant by Pownal, its contents had been communicated
to her, and she had been informed respecting the punishment. To
her delicate and sensitive mind, the charge itself--that of profane
speaking and reviling, was inexpressibly revolting. She knew that the
condition of mind such language implies, was entirely wanting, and
that it was in the performance of what he considered a duty, the old
man had spoken. Father Holden capable of profane speaking! He, whose
heart was the seat of all noble emotions; he, who had renounced the
world, and trampled its temptations and vanities under foot; he,
who living in the world, was not of the world! That such an one, so
harmless, so guileless, so innocent, should be paraded through the
streets like a wild beast which it was unsafe to have at large, that
he should be exposed to the prying looks of coarse and unfeeling men,