“True,” replied Jane. “My lords, I resign the crown into your hands; and Heaven grant you may prove more faithful to Mary than you have been to me. In obedience to you, my lord,” she continued, addressing her husband, “I acted a violence on myself, and have been guilty of a grievous offence. But the present is my own act. And I willingly abdicate the throne to correct another’s fault, if so great a fault can be corrected by my resignation and sincere acknowledgment.” “You shall not abdicate it, Jane,” cried Dudley, fiercely. “I will not yield. Stand by me, Cholmondeley, and these audacious traitors shall find I am still master here. Let those who are for Queen Jane surround the throne.” As he spoke, he glanced round authoritatively, but no one stirred. “Speak!” he cried, in accents of rage and disappointment. “Are ye all traitors? Is no one true to his allegiance?” But no answer was returned. “They are no traitors, my lord,” said Simon Renard. “They are loyal subjects of Queen Mary.” “He speaks truly, my dear lord,” replied Jane. “It is useless to contend further. I am no longer queen.” So saying, she descended from the throne. “My lords,” she continued, addressing the Council, “you are now masters here. Have I your permission to retire?” “You have, noble lady,” replied Pembroke. “But it grieves me to add, that you must perforce remain within the Tower till the pleasure of her Highness respecting you has been ascertained.” “A prisoner!” exclaimed Jane, trembling. “And my husband, you will suffer him to accompany me?” “It cannot be,” interposed Simon Renard, harshly; “Lord Guilford Dudley must be separately confined.” “You cannot mean this cruelty, sir?” cried Jane, indignantly. “Do not sue for me, Jane,” rejoined Dudley. “I will not accept the smallest grace at his hands.” “Guards!” cried Renard, “I command you, in Queen Mary’s name, to arrest Lord Guilford Dudley, and convey him to the Beauchamp Tower.” The order was instantly obeyed. Jane then took a tender farewell of her husband, and accompanied by Cicely and Cholmondeley, and others of her attendants, was escorted to the palace., She had no sooner taken her departure, than letters were despatched by the Council to the Duke of Northumberland, commanding him instantly to disband his army. And the Earl of Arundel was commissioned to proceed with a force to arrest him. “I have a brave fellow who shall accompany your lordship,” said Renard, motioning to Gilbert, who stood among his followers. “Hark’ee, sirrah!” he added, “you have already approved your fidelity to Queen Mary. Approve it still further by the capture of the Duke, and, in the Queen’s name, I promise you a hundred pounds in lands to you and your heirs, and the degree of an esquire. And now, my lords, to publicly proclaim Queen Mary.”