The question naturally arises, how much did Lady Hussey know of all that was brewing in the North, and what did she tell Mary? But it can never be answered, though it is certain that whatever her husband’s views Lady Hussey was strongly in sympathy with the rebels. Mary’s refusal to subscribe to the Acts caused an immense sensation at Court. The King was furious and swore in a passion that she should suffer the extreme penalty. Exeter and Fitzwilliam were excluded from the Council, because they were suspected of sympathy for her. Even Cromwell was not safe, for since Anne’s fall he had been bidding for Mary’s goodwill, in anticipation of her return to Henry’s favour. Chapuys assured Mary that she was in immediate danger[102], and that any oath she took under the circumstances would not be binding. Much against her will she yielded to his entreaties, and signed the form her father sent her, without reading it. The result was an almost immediate return to her father’s favour and she consented to dissemble in future, whenever it was necessary[103]. Lady Hussey remained in the Tower throughout July, and her health suffered from the confinement[104]. On 3 August she was examined[105], and by the beginning of October she had been released and had gone home to Sleaford[106]. NOTES TO CHAPTER II Note A. Although Pole was created a Cardinal in 1536, he was not ordained until 1556, after Mary’s marriage with Philip of Spain. Note B. The Dictionary of National Biography makes Edith his first wife and Dousabella his second, but see Letters and Papers XII (2) Index under Darcy, Dousabella and Edith. Note C. He was possibly Dr Marmaduke Walby, a prebendary of Carlisle, who was closely connected with Sir Robert Constable. After the rebellion had broken out, Darcy proposed to send Walby to the Netherlands for help, because he knew the Imperial ambassador[107]. From this it seems probable that Walby had communicated with the ambassador on the present occasion. Note D. The cautious language is characteristic of the Chapuys correspondence. The ambassador never mentioned a name when a substitute was to be had. “He of whom I told you” is a very common phrase; Darcy is almost invariably “the good old lord.” This may show that Chapuys feared his letters might fall into the wrong hands, or it may be merely a diplomatic habit. Letters of such vital importance must have been sent by the most reliable messengers, but there was always a risk of miscarriage. Yet if they were discovered it does not seem likely that the thin veil of anonymity could have saved those who were compromised. CHAPTER III AFFINITY AND CONFEDERACY