He was taken out of himself by the excitement of the flying hours.

He knew he was doing perilous work; but he knew that Freda's sympathy was with him, and that she regarded him as a hero in a noble cause.

That was enough to keep him steadfast and fearless, even if the magnetic personality of Garret had not been so often brought to bear upon him.

Whenever Garret was in Oxford---and now he was more and more often there, for he had quite a following in the place eager to hear more from him and receive fresh books--he stayed either with Dalaber, or with Radley, the singing man; and in both their lodgings were cleverly-concealed hiding-places, where books could be stowed, that would defy all search, save that of the most stringent kind.
February had come, with its promise of hope, and springtide, and the longer daylight, so dear to the heart of students.

Garret had recently appeared once more in Oxford, and was meeting almost daily with the confraternity there.