And in truth, my child"-- he drew Magdalen gently onwards with him towards the room which he had fixed upon in his own mind as the one most suited to his purpose--"in truth, I know not if it were true kindness to seek to save that stainless life.

I had speech with Dr.Higdon anent this very matter only the night before we started forth, and he told me that, albeit the bishop had been persuaded by the cardinal to permit the release of the prisoners for the present, yet that, should any recover--and in particular, Master Clarke--he was like to demand his surrender later into his own merciless hands; and it is well known that he has said that, since Wolsey would not burn Garret or Ferrar when he had them in his clutches, be would burn Clarke so soon as he was able to stand his trial.
Some even say that he only suffered the men to be released from prison that Clarke should be sufficiently recovered to perish at the stake." Magdalen shuddered and hid her face in her hands.
"Oh that such things should be! And in a Christian land, and within the very Church of Christ itself!" "We will trust it is not true," spoke Dr.Langton gravely, "or that more Christian and more merciful counsel may prevail.

But in all truth I know full well that, short of a miracle, Clarke will only come here to die.

Perhaps the best that we can wish for him now is a peaceful and painless passing away in the midst of his friends, with no more fears of prison or martyrdom before his eyes; for in sooth I think his soul has soared into a region where all fear and anxiety are left behind." Magdalen's eyes were full of tears.

She had been from the first deeply attracted both by the words and by the personality of John Clarke, and sometimes she had had intimate talks with him on spiritual matters, which had made an indelible impression upon her heart.
She now busied herself diligently in making ready for his reception that pleasant sunny chamber which her father had selected.