ill have to learn that
her children will not always suffer her impurities and abominations,
but that they will rise up and cleanse the sanctuary from the
filthiness wherewith it is defiled."

"Yet let them not cease to love her," spoke Freda gently, "for, as
Master Clarke truly says, we are all one body--the Body of Christ;
and if we have to war one with another, and rend that body for its
own healing, we must yet remember that we are all members one of
another even in our strife."

"It is a hard saying," spoke Dalaber, "yet I believe it is the
truth. God send us more men like John Clarke, to show us the way
through this tangle of perplexities!"

Chapter IV: "Merrie May Day"

"You will come and hear us sing our 'merrie katches' from the
tower, sweet ladies. They should sound sweetly this year, more
sweetly than ever, for we have improved in our methods, and our
boys have been better taught since Master Radley of Cardinal
College has given us his help; and he will come and sing with us,
and he hath a voice like a silver bell."

The speaker was Arthur Cole, a student of Magdalen College, who was
now a frequent visitor at the Bridge House. He was a young man of
good family and prospects, nearly related to one of the proctors of
the university. He had a good presence, an elegant figure, and was
master of many favourite sports and pastimes. He kept horses and
dogs and falcons, and had several servants lodging in the town to
look after these creatures, and to attend him when he sallied forth
in search of sport. Moreover, he had recently introduced into
Oxford the Italian game of "calcio" (of which more anon), and was
one of the most popular and important men of his college. He was
always dressed with great care and elegance, although he was no
fop; and he was so handsome and so merry withal that all who knew
him regarded him with favour, and his friendship was regarded as a
sort of passport to the best circle of university life.

Freda and Magdalen answered his appeal with smiling glances. They
were holding one of their little mimic courts in the garden by the
river. Their father had been reading and discoursing with sundry
students, who came to him for instruction more individual and
particular than could be given in the schools in the earlier part
of the day; and the young men before leaving always sought to gain
speech with the two fair sisters, who were generally at this hour
to be found in the garden.