ds 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.

"Thou dost bid me be faithful above all things, my Freda--faithful
unto death?"

He felt the shudder that ran through her frame. It had been easy
once to speak these words, but they sounded more terrible now. Yet
for all her tremors her voice did not falter.

"It is the voice of the Spirit, Anthony; it is His word. But ah!
how I hope and pray that such a trial of faith will not be thine!
Faithful to death--to such a death! Anthony, my love, my love, how
could I bear it?"

"Thou wouldst have the strength, as I trust I should, were such a
choice before me," he answered gravely. "But why should we fear the
worst, when so little has yet happened? All men say of the cardinal
that he is not cruel, nor willingly a slayer of men for conscience'
sake. He is the bitter foe of heresy; but it may be that it will
suffice him that Garret be gone, and that those of us that have
consorted with him remain quiet and silent. That we are willing to
do. I have removed my lodging to Gloucester College, where I shall
henceforth study the law, since I have abandoned all thoughts of
the priesthood. It may well be that the storm will roll over our
heads without breaking. And when it has passed away we can
recommence our readings and discourses together, but quietly, so as
not to arouse notice. Even the holy apostles themselves were
content to abide quiet and silent amid perils that threatened their
freedom and safety. They escaped out of various dangers, and used
caution and carefulness; and if they, why not we?"

Freda heaved a long breath, as of relief from the over pressure of
emotion. She had seen that Arthur Cole had entertained some fears
on Dalaber's account, knowing the fiery nature of the man, and his
quick, impulsive temperament. He had had misgivings lest he, by
some rash act, should draw down the anger of the authorities upon
himself, and be made a scapegoat, in the stead of the absent
Garret.

Therefore Freda heard his words with a certain relief. Constancy