“I watched his face.  It was hard to read its look; yet I thought there came a gleam of anger into it when I spoke of the peril they lay in from death by sickness in that noisome prison.  After all, they are all scholars of his own college; and methinks he and the bishop have disagreed ere this over matters of discipline, and where mercy rather than judgment should be shown.  All the world says that Master Garret and Robert Ferrar would have been sent to the stake had the bishop’s word prevailed, but that the cardinal would not give them up to him.  It may be that he will be loath to give up Master Clarke and his friends; but surely the cardinal’s word would prevail, if he desired to make it.”

“And if the bishop has a victim, that might satisfy him,” spoke Dalaber gravely.

“Thou art thinking of thyself?” asked Arthur quickly.

“Why should I not?  I have offered myself as a substitute.  If they permit the exchange, I will not draw back.”

Arthur regarded him with a species of admiration.  But he was silent awhile, finding speech difficult.  Then he asked: 

“Does Freda know?”

“Yes,” answered Dalaber briefly.

“And she was willing?”

“She was willing.”

They walked on in silence for some time, only pausing when they reached the open space of Moor Fields, where the apprentices were playing quarterstaff, wrestling, and shooting with bow and arrows, and shouting aloud in their glee.  The friends stood awhile watching, but their thoughts were far away.

Suddenly Arthur broke out into what for him was rather vehement speech.

“Then thou art in truth a hero, Anthony, with the spirit of the warrior and the martyr.  I have sometimes misjudged thee, thinking thee somewhat unstable, though a man of parts and one to be much beloved.  I ask thy pardon now for having so misjudged thee.  Thou hast all the stuff in thee which I have sometimes thought was lacking.”

“It was lacking.  Thou hast not misjudged me,” answered Anthony gravely.  “I have been unstable.  I know it myself, none better.  Alone, I should be unstable still.  Indeed I may not trust myself even from day to day.  But there is One who changeth not—­One who is with us, and in us, and for us.  He will be our strength and our stay in times of darkness and perplexity, and teach us to guide our steps aright.  If I have found courage, that courage is His; if I can hold steadfast, it is in His power.  That is all.  I have put myself into His hands.  I shall take no thought for myself, what I shall speak or do.  He is showing me that He would have all Christian men to live together in unity and peace.  I do truly see and believe that.  Yet if He command me to speak or to do that which men will call heresy and sin, He will give me grace to stand firm, even unto death.”