"Thou art thinking of thyself?" asked Arthur quickly.
"Why should I not? I have offered myself as a substitute. If they permit the exchange, I will not draw back."
Arthur regarded him with a species of admiration. But he was silent awhile, finding speech difficult. Then he asked:
"Does Freda know?"
"Yes," answered Dalaber briefly.
"And she was willing?"
"She was willing."
They walked on in silence for some time, only pausing when they reached the open space of Moor Fields, where the apprentices were playing quarterstaff, wrestling, and shooting with bow and arrows, and shouting aloud in their glee. The friends stood awhile watching, but their thoughts were far away.
Suddenly Arthur broke out into what for him was rather vehement speech.
"Then thou art in truth a hero, Anthony, with the spirit of the warrior and the martyr. I have sometimes misjudged thee, thinking thee somewhat unstable, though a man of parts and one to be much beloved. I ask thy pardon now for having so misjudged thee. Thou hast all the stuff in thee which I have sometimes thought was lacking."