Did he find peace? Yes, when vailing his eyes from the atrocities done
in the name of the church, turning himself away from the scarlet-clad
atheists, who too often mount her seats of power, he retreated within
himself, opened the gospels, and from their pages saw kindle into life
and love, the face of Him, whom priests may misinterpret or defame, but
whose name forever to suffering humanity, is "CONSOLATION."
As he passed thus along Broadway, buried in his thoughts, and utterly
unconscious of the scene around him, he felt a hand press his own.
He awoke from his thoughts, stopped and looked around him. The crowd
was hurrying by, but the person who pressed his hand had disappeared.
Was that pressure of the hand a mere freak of the imagination? No;
for the hand of the unknown had left within the hand of the Priest a
neatly-folded letter, upon which, in a fair and delicate hand, was
written his own name.
Stepping aside from the crowd, he opened and read the letter. It was
very brief, but its contents called a glow to the pale cheek of the
Priest.
He at once retraced his steps, and passed down Broadway, with a
rapid and eager step. Hurrying through the gay crowd, he turned, in
a few moments, into a street leading to the North River. The sun was
setting, and cast the shadow of his slender form long and black over
the pavement, as he paused in front of a stately mansion. He once more
examined the letter, and then surveyed the mansion.
"It is the same," he said, and ascended the lofty steps and rang the
bell. "Truly, the office of a Priest is a painful one," the thought
crossed his mind; "he sees so much misery that he has not the power to
relieve. Misery, under the rags of the hovel, and despair under the
velvet of the palace."
A male servant, in livery, answered the bell, and glanced somewhat
superciliously at the faded attire of the Priest. But he inclined his
head in involuntary respect, as the Priest said, simply--
"I am Father Luke,--"
"This way, sir. You are expected," answered the servant; and he led
Father Luke along a lofty hall, and into a parlor, over whose rich
furniture shone dimly the light of the setting sun. "Remain here, sir,
and I will announce your coming."