Alone, Dalaber had felt qualms of fear and dread, but the very sight of a comrade’s face restored him to confidence and courage.

“That may well be,” he answered; “and if peril come, I trust I may have courage to endure all that may be put upon me.  I have done naught of which my conscience accuses me.  I can be strong in mine own integrity of heart.”

“Yes; but why court danger?” persisted Fitzjames, who had a cordial liking for Dalaber.  “Methinks you would be safer in some lodging without the walls, that in case of sudden peril you might the more readily fly.  And if these rooms should become suspected and watched, it were better you should be elsewhere.  Have you not already spoken of changing into a lodging in Gloucester College, there to prosecute your studies in law?”

“Truly yes,” answered Dalaber eagerly; “and it was but two days since that Robert Ferrar told me I could have the chamber next to his, which is now vacant; but I have had so many things to think of since then that the matter has passed altogether from my mind.”

“Then let us quickly remove your belongings thither,” spoke Fitzjames, with some eagerness.  “It were better you should be gone; and I will testify, if question arise, of your reason for moving, which is that you are relinquishing your divinity studies for those of the law, and desire to enter a college where there is a library and more facilities for the prosecution of these studies.  It were better, indeed, since you have resigned all thoughts of the priesthood, to commence your new studies without further loss of time.  We have had something too much, methinks, of controversy and questionings of late.  Let us seek greater safety by leaving such matters alone for the nonce.  If happier days dawn anon, we may be able to resume our readings and discussions; but for the moment—­”

A significant gesture completed the sentence, and Dalaber made no remonstrance, for indeed he felt that his mind required a space of rest from these perilous controversies.  Master Garret’s stay had been fraught with intense spiritual excitement for him.  As long as the personality of the man was brought to bear upon him his nerves were strung to a high pitch of tension; but the strain had been severe, and the reaction was setting in.  He was half afraid of the lengths he had gone in some directions, and there came over him a desire for a breathing space, for a haven of peace and safety; and he felt that Fitzjames had counselled him well in advising a removal to fresh quarters.

In those days it was not unusual for a student to move from one hall or even college to another, if he were not upon the foundation of the latter.  Gloucester College (where Worcester College now stands) was one of the many religious houses still to be found in Oxford; but it was open to youths who were neither in orders nor intending to enter the priesthood, but only to prosecute their secular studies.  Dalaber had a friend there who was one of the inquirers after truth, and was also a friend of Garret.  It was he who had told him of the vacant room so near to his own, and thither he and Fitzjames moved all his belongings during that day.