“I thought you had forgotten me, Arthur!”

“Surely you know that I would have come had I been able.  But of late neither bribes nor entreaties have availed to gain me entrance.  How has it been with you, my friend?”

“Oh, I am weary of my life—­weary of everything.  I would they would end it all as soon as may be; death is better than this death in life.  I am sick for the sight of the sun, for a breath of heaven’s pure air, for the sight of my Freda’s face.  Tell me, was it all a dream, or did she indeed come to me?”

“She came, and she would have come again, but they made your captivity closer at that time.  She grows thin and pale herself in grief and hunger for your fate, Anthony.

“But today I come to you with glad tidings of hope.  In a few days from this, if you act but wisely and reasonably, as your friends and companions are about to do, you will stand a free man, and you will see your Freda face to face, none hindering.”

He staggered back almost as though he had been struck.

“I shall be free!  I shall see Freda!  Speak, Arthur!  Of what are you dreaming?”

“I am not dreaming at all.  I come from the Dean of Cardinal College, and from Master Garret, whom he has there in ward, but who is also to be released at the same time.  I was permitted speech with him, that I might bring word to you, and that you might know in very truth what was about to happen.”

“And what is that?  Speak!” cried Anthony, who was shaking all over like an aspen.

To some temperaments hope and joy are almost more difficult to bear than the blows of adverse fortune.  Had the commissary come with news that Dalaber was to suffer death for his faith, he would not have found him so full of tremors, so breathless and shaken.

“I have come to speak,” answered Arthur kindly, as he seated himself upon the low pallet bed, and made Dalaber sit beside him.  “It is in this wise, Anthony.  When you and your comrades were taken, the heads and authorities were in great fear that all Oxford was infect and corrupt by some pestilent heresy; but having found and carefully questioned the young men of their faith, and having read your confession, and heard more truly what hath been the teaching they have heard and received, they find nothing greatly amiss, and are now as anxious to deal gently and tenderly with you all as at first they were hot to punish with severity.  Had they the power to do as they would, you might all be sent speedily to your homes; but they have to satisfy the cardinal, and, worse still, the bishop, and hence there must somewhat be done ere peace be restored, to assure him that Oxford is purged and clean.”

“And what will they do?” asked Dalaber, who was still quivering in every nerve.