“He calls it an act of recantation, but we speak of it to the young men as one of obedience and reconciliation.  There will be here in Oxford a solemn function, like unto what was seen not more than a year ago in London, when those who have been excommunicated, but are now about to be reconciled, will appear in procession, each carrying a fagot for the fire which will be lighted at Carfax; and having thrown their fagot, they will then throw upon the flames some of those noxious books the poison of which has done such hurt to them and others; and having thus humbled themselves to obedience, they will be received and reconciled, and on Easter Day will be readmitted to the holy ordinances from which they have been excluded all these weeks.”

“And Garret will take part in that act of obedience?” asked Arthur, in subdued astonishment.

“He will.  The cardinal has persuaded him to it.  What means he has used I know not, save that all has been done by gentle suasion, and nothing wrung from him by cruelty or force.  And thus it is that I would deal with Anthony Dalaber.  If I know aught of his nature, he would stand like a rock against the fierce buffeting of angry waves, he would go to the rack and the stake with courage and constancy.  But a friend may persuade where an adversary would only rouse to obstinacy.  And therefore have I sent for you, hoping that you may have wisdom to deal with him and persuade him to this step; for if he submit not himself, I fear to think what may be his fate.”

“I will willingly try my powers upon him,” answered Arthur, speaking slowly and with consideration.  “I trow that the world will lose a true and valuable man in losing Anthony Dalaber.  It will go far with him that Master Garret has consented to this act of obedience and submission.  But there is one other of whom he is sure to ask.  Is Master Clarke also about to take part in this ceremony of reconciliation?”

A very troubled look clouded Dr. Higdon’s face.

“Alas! you touch me near by that question.  With Clarke we can prevail nothing.  And yet there is no more pious and devoted son of the church than he; and God in heaven is my witness that I know him for a most righteous and godly man, and that to hear him speak upon these very matters brings tears to the eyes.  His face is as the face of an angel; his words are the words of a saint.  My heart bleeds when I think of him.”

“Why, then, is he accounted heretic and excommunicate?”

“You may well ask.  I have asked myself that same question, for, as one of the canons of this college here, he is to me as a son.  I was wroth at the first when it was told that here in this place we had a nest of pestilent heretics; but since I have come to know more of John Clarke, the more do I grieve that such doctrine as he holds should be condemned as heresy.  It is true that he is unsound on some points—­that I may not deny; but he is so full of sweetness, and piety, and the love of God