“Marry, this—­that when they sought in vain for Master Garret, and were unable to find him, they went themselves to an astrologer, and bid him make a figure by the stars, that he might know whither the fugitive had fled; and he, having done so, declared that Garret had escaped in a tawny coat to the southeastward, and was like to be found in London, where doubtless some of the brotherhood have hid him.  And this they have dared to tell to the cardinal and to the bishop, in no wise ashamed of their own act; whereas the church forbids expressly any such asking of portents from the stars, and it is as much heresy as any deed of which you and your comrades have been guilty.”

Dalaber broke into a short laugh.

“By the Mass, but in sooth it is so!” he exclaimed, drawing a long breath.  “Shall not the God of all the earth look down and judge between us and our foes?  O Arthur, Arthur, how can one not call such men our foes?  They hunt us down and would do us to death because we claim the right to love and study the Word of God, and they themselves practise the arts of necromancy, which have been from the beginning forbidden as an abomination in the sight of the Lord, and they feel no shame, but blazon abroad their evil deed.  Is it not time that the church were purged of such rulers as these?”

“Perchance it is; but that I hold is to be settled not by us but by God Himself.  He has not shown Himself backward in the past to cleanse His sanctuary of defilement, and I trow we can leave this work to Him now, and wait His time.  Patience, good Anthony, patience.  That is my word of counsel to you.  You will not reform the church singlehanded.  The brethren will not do it; and it were only a source of weakness to rob the church of those of her sons who are longing after righteousness and truth.  Be not in such haste.  Be content to stand aside, and see for a while how the Lord Himself will work.  You know the words of Scripture, that in quietness and confidence shall be your rest.  There may be periods when quietness does more to prevail than any open strife.  You have made your protest.  The world will not listen yet; but the time shall come when it will be more ready.  Wait in patience for that day, and seek not to run before the Lord.”

Such sage counsel was not unpalatable to Dalaber, who was in a less combative mood now than he had been of late.  He had been threatened with excommunication, and indeed for a while there was no hope that he would be regarded as a fit person to receive the holy rite.  That in itself was terrible to his devout spirit, and when any person spoke gently and kindly to him, and in a friendly and persuasive fashion, he was always eager to declare his love and loyalty for the Catholic Church.

He hated the thought of being regarded as an outcast and heathen.  He knew that it was so terribly unjust.  He had borne witness to his own beliefs; he had made full confession of faith; he had steadfastly refused to betray any comrade.  Perhaps he had now done enough for the cause of liberty and righteousness, and might step aside for a while and see what would be the result of the movement now set on foot.