The glimpse
and the revelation wrought their miracles silently and irresistibly, not by
the slow processes of growth which Nature demands for her enterprises, but
with the sudden swiftness of the spirit. In an instant changes had taken place
in Justin's soul which his so-called "experiencing religion" twenty-five years
back had been powerless to effect. He had indeed been baptized then, but the
recording angel could have borne witness that this second baptism fructified
the first, and became the real herald of the new birth and the new creature.
VII
Justin Peabody silently closed the inner door, and stood in the entry with his
head bent and his heart in a whirl until he should hear Nancy rise to her
feet. He must take this Heaven-sent chance of telling her all, but how do it
without alarming her?
A moment, and her step sounded in the stillness of the empty church.
Obeying the first impulse, he passed through the outer door, and standing on
the step, knocked once, twice, three times; then, opening it a little and
speaking through the chink, he called, "Is Miss Nancy Wentworth here?"
"I'm here!" in a moment came Nancy's answer; and then, with a little wondering
tremor in her voice, as if a hint of the truth had already dawned: "What's
wanted?"
"You're wanted, Nancy, wanted badly, by Justin Peabody, come back from the
West.
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