Brushing away a few tears that he vainly tried to suppress, the distressed father took Saulus by the hand, and looked urgently into his face as if to make a plea.
“O my young friend! behold my loved and dutiful daughter hath been beguiled of the heresy. To-day, before the third hour, she left me that she might join these deluded people, thus giving up my favor, affection, home, and honor. Peradventure she went directly to the Upper Chamber, and hath gone to prison with the other women. Behold my sorrow!”
“She hath chosen her own portion!” said Saulus unconcernedly.
“O Saulus!” said the Rabban pleadingly. “She is young, and knoweth little of the heresy, being deceived.”
“I will visit the prison, and find if she be among the women. What is her name?”
“Amabel.”
“If she be with them, I will command her release, and direct that she return to her father’s house.”
“I thank thee for thy great favor! After being cast into prison, I am persuaded that when released she will show her former wisdom in this matter.”
Gamaliel brightened at the renewal of his own hope, and added,—
“Peradventure it is well! I perceive that nothing less than some such experience would have turned her. Now I soon shall see my daughter!”