“There is Dalaber yet to win,” answered the dean, “and there are a few more—­Sumner for one, and Radley for another—­who have not given the assurance yet.  If Clarke would submit, they would do so instantly; but they are near to him in the prison, and they can speak with each other, and so they hang together as yet, and what he does they will do.  But their peril is not so great as his.  The bishop has not named any, save Garret, Ferrar, and Clarke, as the victims of the extreme penalty of the law.  Dalaber may well be included if he remains obdurate, and therefore I am greatly concerned that he should be persuaded.

“Think you that you can work upon him, were I to win you permission to see him?  I have heard that you did visit him awhile since, when he was kept less strictly than is now the case.  What was his frame of mind then? and what hopes have you of leading him to a better one?”

Arthur sat considering awhile, and then said: 

“Dalaber is one of those upon whom none can rightly reckon.  At one moment he will be adamant, at another yielding and pliable.  One day his soul will be on fire, and nothing would move him; but in another mood he would listen and weigh every argument, and might be easily persuaded.  One thing is very sure:  gentleness would prevail with him a thousand times more than harshness.  A friend might prevail where a foe would have no chance.  I will gladly visit him, and do what I can; but I would fain, if it might he accorded, see Master Garret first, and take word to Dalaber of mine own knowledge that he has promised submission.”

The dean considered awhile, and then rose to his feet.

“Come, then,” he said.  “It is not known in Oxford yet; but the cardinal has sent Garret here to me, to be kept in close ward till the day of the reconciliation, now at hand.  This is what is to take place.  The men who have been excommunicated and set in ward, but who are ready to make submission, will be brought to trial a few days hence, and will sign their recantation, as we call it, to the cardinal, in the presence of the judges, who will then order them to take part in this act of penance, after which they will be admitted once more to communion, and have liberty to resume their studies, or to return to their homes and friends, as best pleases them.  Thus we trust to purge Oxford of heresy.  But if Master Clarke remain obdurate, and others with him, I fear me there will be some other and terrible scene ere this page of her history closes.”

“Let me see Master Garret,” said Arthur abruptly.  “I would I might also see Master Clarke.  But whenever I ask this boon it is refused me.”

The dean shook his head slowly.

“No one is permitted access to him, save those who go to reason with him; and so far we reason in vain.  But I will admit you to the other prisoner for a few minutes.  You have been acquainted with him in the past?”

“Slightly.  He has never ranked as my friend, but I have known him and met him.  He is of my college, and I have been sorry that he has used his knowledge of Oxford to spread trouble there.”