are not counted rebels and traitors because we condemn a minister
of state; why, then, are we to be counted heretics and the scum of
the earth because we see the evils and corruption in the lives of
cardinals and clergy?

"But to return to Dalaber. He is never content with just quiet
thinking and study; he is all in a flame, and must cry aloud from
the housetops, if it were not that he is restrained by others. He
came from London in a perfect ferment. I trembled to think what he
would do next. But as luck would have it, Cole got hold of him to
take a vacant place in his own band for calcio, and since then he
has been using his muscles rather than his brain, and an excellent
good thing, too. He is just the man to get into trouble with the
authorities, albeit he may not hold half the 'heresies' of others
who escape."

"It is his way to throw himself heart and soul into everything he
undertakes," spoke Freda, with a certain quiet satisfaction and
approval. "I think he never stops to count the cost, but tries to
see the right path, and to pursue it to the end."

"Yes, but he might sometimes show a little more discretion with his
zeal," answered Hugh, with a half laugh. "I have a great liking for
Anthony myself. No man could share his chamber and lack that. He is
the best of comrades, and he has fine qualities and plenty of
courage. But there are times when I fear he will be his own
undoing. When he disputes in the schools he will often tread
perilously near some 'pestilent heresy,' as the masters would deem
it, or show by some of his arguments that he has a dangerous
knowledge of forbidden books. Just now things are quiet in Oxford,
and not much notice is taken. But who knows how long the calm may
last? London has been set in a commotion of late, and is it likely
that Oxford will escape, with the cardinal's eyes fixed upon his
college here?"

"At least let us hope and pray that we may be spared persecution,"
spoke Magdalen gravely. "Yet truly I believe that were such
misfortune to befall us, Anthony Dalaber would be one of those who
would stand the test of his faith with constancy and courage."

"He would, up to a certain point, I doubt not," answered Hugh. "He
would go to the stake, I believe, without flinching, were he taken
and sent there straight. But if put in prison, and kept there long,
separated from his friends and teachers, and subjected to argument
and persuasion and specious promises, well, I know not ho