“It is so, Sir, and I will tell you more,” pursued Stafford. “Alva is to be governor of the Tower, and ere he has been there many months more noble English blood will drench the scaffold than ever dyed it in King Harry’s days. The Inquisition, also, is to be established.” “It is already established among us,” cried Sir Henry Dudley. “We had our _auto-da-fé_ in Smithfield yesterday.” “The Queen is so infatuated by her love for the King,” pursued Stafford, “that she can deny him nothing. You, Sir,” he added to Osbert, “who have been in attendance upon him, must know how shamefully he abuses her regard, and the scandalous infidelities he practises.” “It is true,” replied Osbert. “It is true, also, that her Majesty can refuse him nothing. He has incited her to settle her crown upon him by her will in the event of her decease during her time of travail.” “Can she be so blind as not to perceive that by making such a will she ensures her own death by poison?” observed De Noailles. “But her senseless passion deprives her of all judgment.” “Now is the time to strike,” cried Stafford. “Men’s minds are so excited that a single spark will set the whole city of London in a flame. All the Protestants are ripe for outbreak. Let us raise the standard of revolt in Smithfield, on the very spot where Rogers was martyred, proclaim the Princess Elizabeth Queen, the deposition of Philip and Mary, and restoration of the Reformed religion. We can only number a handful of men at first, but what matters that? Thousands will soon rally round us, and ere night we shall be masters of the City.” “The enterprise is desperate,” said Osbert, “but the moment is propitious. I am with you.” “So are we all!” cried the others. “Our cry shall be, ‘Down with Philip and Mary! Down with the mass and idolatry! Long live Queen Elizabeth, the head and defender of the Protestant Church!’” said Stafford. “Every Protestant will respond to the call.” “If we fail, we throw away our lives in a righteous cause,” rejoined Osbert. “We shall not fail,” cried Sir Henry Dudley. “I was at Smithfield yesterday, and spoke with hundreds, who are ready for an outbreak.” “So did I,” added Sir Anthony Kingston. “I can vouch for the detestation with which the King is regarded. Let not the attempt be delayed.” “It shall be made to-morrow,” said Stafford. “I can muster fifty well armed men.” “And I half that number,” said Dudley. “And I twenty,” said Kingston. “I can bring no one with me,” said Osbert. “But I will gain a thousand followers before the day is over.” “At what hour shall we meet to-morrow?” said Dudley. “At noon,” replied Stafford. “Give me your hand upon it, Osbert Clinton.” “Readily,” rejoined the other, grasping the hand stretched out to him. At this moment the lamp was suddenly thrown down, and the crypt plunged in darkness. “Traitors, before to-morrow you shall be all clapped in the Tower!” cried a voice.