This time the cardinal’s smile was more full and free.

“We will see whether we cannot make shift without a victim.  Anthony Dalaber, you are a free man.  There is no talk of arresting you in place of any other.  That is neither the law of the land nor the practice of the church.  I have watched you, my son; I see that you are of a godly mind.  You may yet be a good and a great man in this land.  Hold fast the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and God will bless and keep you.

“I trust we shall hear no more of heresy in Oxford.  And when you receive John Clarke into your keeping, tell him that I regret the harshness to which he has been exposed, and that I have prevailed to effect his release, but that beyond this I cannot help him, but trust that between him and his bishop some better understanding may be speedily arrived at.”

“We thank your Eminence from our hearts,” spoke Arthur, as he bent his knee, feeling a double load of anxiety and sorrow lifted from his heart.  “We will not forget all we owe to your clemency and kindness, and with more others than I can name we will pray for all blessings to rest upon your Eminence for this gracious act.”

The cardinal was pressed for time, and dismissed the young men with a blessing.  They went out into the sunny courtyard, scarce able to believe their own success.

Liberated from prison!  Clarke to be liberated and delivered over to their care!  Oh! they would soon restore him to health and strength by their loving ministrations.  They would surely succeed in this.  All the three to be given up to their friends!  They must lose no time in riding to Oxford with the news.

Not a day of this lovely springtide should be wasted.  They would ride all night, that release might come the earlier.  Yes, there was full moon, and already the daylight lasted long and came again early.  They would ride without a pause, save for needful refreshment for man and beast, till they reached Oxford.  They could be there before daybreak.

On the morrow they could carry forth their friends to Poghley.  It was a thought fraught with happiness and joy.  They would not lose an hour.  And so quickly were all their preparations made that before the shadows had grown long, before the sun had sunk far towards the horizon, their reckoning was paid, their bags were packed, their servants summoned, and the little cavalcade was ready to start forth and ride with loose rein to Oxford ere break of day.

It was no hardship, that quiet riding through the long hours of the misty night.  They did not hurry their beasts, for they could not obtain any interview with dean or prison governor in the dead of night.  So they pursued their way quietly, discussing many plans; and before the first light of day had begun to glimmer in the east it was settled that, whilst Arthur should go direct to Oxford with the cardinal’s mandate, and should make all needful arrangements for the immediate transportation of the sick men to Poghley, Anthony should ride there direct, to advise the young wife and her sister of what they might expect, and to see all made ready there.