"But surely the word of your Eminence would prevail with the bishop, and free him from his bonds." "My Lord of Lincoln is very bitter against heretics." "Then let him take me in lieu of Master Clarke!" suddenly cried Dalaber, stepping forward to the cardinal's table, upon which he leaned with both his hands, and his dark eyes flashed fire.

"If he must have a victim, let me be that victim.

I am tenfold more heretic than Master Clarke.

Let me take his place in the foul dungeon; let me, if need be, go to the stake for him.

If there must be a victim, let me be that victim; but shall he die whose life has been given for the purity of the faith, and for teaching that very doctrine of the unity of the one Holy Catholic Church upon which your Eminence laid such stress in speaking awhile ago?
Give me up to the mercy of the bishop, and let Clarke go free!" The piercing gaze of the cardinal was fixed upon Dalaber's strenuous face.