Ferdinando cursed Barnabas when he heard of Emily’s death, broken at how unnecessary it was. When Barnabas learned that Emily had died, he refused to believe it and denied having anything to do with it; however, Mrs. Hammond insisted that Emily was truly gone. After this, Barnabas began to realize how much the town hated him for what he had done.

Tired of hiding, Barnabas showed up to the city assembly, even though most people there did not want to admit him. He told the people that if they had any problems with him they should address him directly, but everyone was too intimidated (163). When Ferdinando showed up at the meeting, he advanced on Barnabas, reiterating that Barnabas was not welcome there . Outnumbered and with everyone on Ferdinando’s side, Barnabas left feeling ashamed of his defeat (164). He came back drunk an hour or so later and tried to fight Ferdinando; they were pulled apart, and Barnabas left once again.

These events angered Ferdinando, who felt that both he and Barnabas were disgraced now. The next morning, Ferdinando was shocked when people found Barnabas dead on the street not far from the assembly house.