He was legendary; though there
was full proof that the girl had been duly married. That had been laid
before the Elders by Luke Claridge on an occasion when Benn Claridge, his
brother was come among them again from the East.
At this moment of trial David was thinking of his uncle, Benn Claridge,
and of his last words fifteen years before when going once again to the
East, accompanied by the Muslim chief Ebn Ezra, who had come with him to
England on the business of his country. These were Benn Claridge's words:
"Love God before all, love thy fellow-man, and thy conscience will bring
thee safe home, lad."
"If he will not repent, there is but one way," said the shrill Elder.
"Let there be no haste," said Luke Claridge, in a voice that shook a
little in his struggle for self-control.
Another heretofore silent Elder, sitting beside John Fairley, exchanged
words in a whisper with him, and then addressed them. He was a very small
man with a very high stock and spreading collar, a thin face, and large
wide eyes. He kept his chin down in his collar, but spoke at the ceiling
like one blind, though his eyes were sharp enough on occasion.
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