“That is true; but he is fled.”

“He was willing, then, to fly!  Ah, I am glad, I am glad!  It is not always the greatest thing to stand at bay and fall into peril.  A man may rightly think of saving his life and those of his friends by flight.  I am thankful he is away.  Pray Heaven they get not on his track.  They say if he fall into their hands he will perish at the stake.”

Dalaber shuddered, but answered quietly: 

“I think he will escape.  Had they overtaken him we should have heard.  But what else hath Cole told thee that thou shouldst fear and shed tears, thou who art so bold, and filled with spirit and constancy?”

“He spoke of Master Clarke,” answered Freda, lowering her voice.  “He is fearful of danger to him.”

“Danger for Clarke!” cried Dalaber, almost hotly.  “But he has never had aught to do with the sale or distribution of forbidden books.  He knows of it, but he takes no part in it.  What can they urge against him?”

“They only whisper it as yet, but Arthur says they suspect him of heresy.  Men who have heard him lecture and preach have spoken of his doctrine, and others have pronounced it dangerous.  Arthur himself is full of wrath, for he loves Master Clarke as a brother, and he says he has never heard aught but holy and pure teaching drop from his lips; and none may doubt that Arthur is a true son of the church.  He went forth again for tidings; but he only learned that the Dean of Cardinal College, the Commissary of the University, Dr. London of New College, and a few others of like standing with themselves, have met in consultation more than once during the day, and that it is whispered abroad that whether or not they lay hands on Master Garret, they are going to make strict inquisition throughout Oxford for the discovery of heretical teachers and thinkers in the university, and take measures whereby the spread of the peril may be arrested.”

Dalaber and Freda stood face to face in the flickering light, their eyes full upon each other.  He bent down suddenly, and kissed her with an almost passionate intensity of feeling.

“If they make strict inquisition, my beloved, they may find that Anthony Dalaber is numbered amongst the heretics.”

“I know it,” Freda answered, and her voice was very low.

“And if they should hale him to prison what shall he say and do?  Wouldst thou that he should save himself by submission and obedience? or shall he be bold to speak, let the consequences be what they may?”

He reached out and held her hands in his.  Hers trembled, but his were steady.

“I would have Anthony Dalaber true to his soul and true to his friends.  I would have him obey, inasmuch as he can do so with a clear conscience toward God and man, but no farther.  O my love, my love, how I shall pray for thee now and ever!”

He clasped her in his arms, as once before he had done when they had been speaking almost upon this same subject, before the danger cloud hung lowering in the horizon of their sky.