One after another these persons came forward trembling, asked pardon, and were dismissed not unkindly, but with many an admonition for the future.
It was made plain and patent to all that the bishops had absolutely resolved to stamp out heresy once and for all; and for once the prior and abbots, the monks and the friars, were in accord and working hand in hand.

It was useless for any to hope to stem such a tide as that--such was the tenor of the prior's speech--heresy was to be exterminated.

On that point there was no manner of doubt; and if, knowing this, persons chose deliberately to put themselves under the ban of the law, well, their blood must be upon their own head.

Neither God nor man would have mercy upon them.
Several of the retainers and a few of the actual household of Chad had received admonitions of this sort.

Sir Oliver looked on uneasily, catching a subdued look of triumph in the eyes of his rival and foe.