“They know that men come to your rooms to read the Scriptures and discourse thereon,” he concluded, “and in these times that is almost enough to brand a man a heretic.  And yet I know that you are not one.  I would that the cardinal himself were half so true a servant of God.”

A slight smile passed over Clarke’s beautiful face.  The light seemed to deepen within his eyes.

“Take heed, my kindly young friend, or men will call thee heretic next,” he said.  “It is hard to know sometimes what they mean by the word.  Let it be enough for us to know that we are all members of the mystical body of Christ, and that none can sever us from our union with Him, save He Himself; and His word, even to the erring and the feeble and the sinner, is, ’Come unto me.  Him that cometh I will in no wise cast out.’”

“I know, I know—­if that were only enough!” cried Arthur, in perplexity and distress.

“It is enough for me,” answered Clarke, with his illuminating smile.

“But will you not have a greater care for yourself—­for our sakes who love you, if not for your own?” urged the other.

“What would you have me to do, or not to do?” asked Clarke.

“I would have you abandon your reading and discussions—­for a time.  I would have you, perhaps, even quit Oxford till this storm sweeps by.  Why should you not visit your friends in Cambridge?  It would excite no great wonderment that you should do so.  We cannot spare you to the malice of enemies; and Garret being escaped from the snare, there is no knowing upon whom they may next lay hands.  It would break my heart if mischance happened to you, Master Clarke; wherefore I pray you have a care for yourself.”

Clarke regarded both young men with a very tender smile.

“I think I will not go; and how can I refuse to speak with those who come to me?  The reading of the Scriptures in any tongue has not been forbidden by the Holy Catholic Church.  I will maintain that against all adversaries.  What I say here in my room I will maintain before all men, and will show that the Lord Himself, by His holy apostles and prophets, has taught the same.  If any are in peril through words which I have spoken, shall I flee away and leave them to do battle alone?  Nay; but I will remain here and be found at my post.  My conscience is clear before God and man.  I have not disobeyed His voice nor yet that of the Catholic Church.  Let Him judge betwixt us.  I am in His hands.  I am not afraid what man can do unto me.”

Dalaber’s face kindled at the sound of these words, and the flame of his enthusiasm for this man blazed up afresh.  There had been times when he had fancied that Garret possessed the stronger spirit, because his words were more full of fire, and he was ever a man of action and strife.  But when Garret had been brought face to face with peril his nerve had given way.  He had struggled after courage, but all the while he had been ready to fly.  He had spoken of coming martyrdom with loftiness of resolution; but he had wavered, and had been persuaded that the time had not yet come.