However, as my bare chamber offered no concealment even for a cat, they had to be satisfied at last; and they went away, only charging me straitly that so soon as Dalaber should return, I must tell him to repair him instantly to the prior, who would have speech of him.

This I promised to do, though with a woeful heart, for I felt that evil was meant him, and I love him right well." "Yes, yes; and what followed next ?" "Marry, this--that so soon as ever the college gates were open in the morning, at five o'clock, in comes Anthony Dalaber himself, his shoes and hosen all stained with mud, his face pale as though with watching and anxious thought, though his aspect was calm and resolute; and he came up the stairs without seeing me, and began to unlock his door.

But the lock had been twisted and bent, and he was still struggling with it when I came out to him and began to tell him what had happened.

He got his door opened, and the sight he saw before his eyes confirmed my tale, and he sat down and listened to all I had to say, very quietly, and without flinching.

He told me that he and certain of the brethren had passed the night together, in his old lodging at St.Alban Hall, in prayer for grace and guidance; but that, though they had prayed of him to fly, it had not seemed good to him to do so; and that he had resolved to return immediately to his own lodging, and to await there whatever might befall him." "My own brave, steadfast Anthony!" spoke Freda beneath her breath, her eyes shining like stars, but with a glint of tears behind their brightness.
"So I gave to him the prior's message, and he said he would lose no time in going to see him.