"He is wholly a believer in the gospel as set forth by Master Tyndale," said Anne, "as—as I am also!" she added firmly. "I believe with him! I was blinded for a time—blinded and besotted by spiritual pride and selfishness, and I fought against my convictions with all my might. Tempted by the devil, I betrayed my brother into your hands; but God in infinite mercy hath given me the grace of repentance. I believe my brother is right—and I desire no more at your hands than leave to die with him." All present stood as if stupefied for a moment, when Jack, wrenching himself from his detainers, sprang forward and clasped his sister in his arms. "Your prayers have been heard, dearest brother," said Anne, kissing him. "I am not now afraid to speak the truth. A long time I fought against it, but it would not be withstood. I am come to confess it and to die by your side." "The maid is frantic," said Father Barnaby, recovering himself. "This distress has driven her beside herself, and she knows not what she says. She hath ever been a faithful child of the Church." "I know right well what I say," returned Anne. "It is no new thing. The work was began in the convent by Agnes Harland, and was finished by the reading of God's Word. I—" She stopped, strove to continue, raised her hands as if grasping for something, and then, slipping from Jack's arms, she sank senseless to the ground. "So! Did I not tell you she was beside herself?" said Father Barnaby. "Master Lucas, has your daughter been ailing?" "She hath not complained," replied Master Lucas, stooping and raising Anne in his arms; "but she has looked very ill ever since yesterday, when she came from visiting a family of children in our lane who are down with the sweating sickness." "The sweating sickness!" exclaimed the prior, in alarm. "Let her be removed at once! It is as much as our lives are worth to be in the room with her. Master Lucas, will you take home your daughter?" "Ay, that will I," replied Master Lucas, raising Anne in his arms. "My son, my dear son! How can I leave you here?" "Think not of that now, dear father, but take care of Anne and of yourself," said Jack. "I trust we shall meet again in a better place where no malice of our enemies can separate us." "Let us have no more of this," said Father Barnaby. "Master Lucas, take this poor maid home and let her have fitting attendance. I attach no weight to her words, spoken in the delirium of disease. Brother Joseph, secure the prisoner." But Brother Joseph evidently shrank from the task. "He has just embraced and kissed this woman, your reverence," said he, "and—"