The Tower of London: A Historical Romance, IllustratedAinsworth, William Harrison
General
The Tower of London: A Historical Romance, Illustrated
Ainsworth, William Harrison
Grey, Jane, Lady, 1537-1554 -- Fiction; London (England) -- Fiction; Tower of London (London, England) -- Fiction
“And mine for you, dear Jane,” replied her husband, pressing her to his
bosom—“Heaven grant me your patience and resignation!”
“Amen!” she fervently ejaculated. And with another embrace, they parted.
For a short distance the two escorts walked close together, during which
the afflicted pair kept their eyes fondly fixed on each other. After
passing the north-west corner of the White Tower, Lord Guilford’s
attendants took a straight-forward course, while Jane’s guards proceeded
to the right. Still but a short distance intervened between them, until
Jane beheld her husband disappear beneath the low-arched entrance of the
Bowyer Tower. A convulsive movement passed over her frame; but the next
moment she was apparently as calm as ever, and followed the officer into
the structure destined for her reception.
This, as has already been intimated, was the Brick Tower, the next
turret on the east of the Bowyer Tower. The upper story, which is of
brick—whence its name—was erected in the reign of Edward the Fourth, or
Richard the Third: the basement story is of stone, and of much greater
antiquity.
Entering a narrow passage, she was ushered by the officer into a small
room, which he informed her was prepared for her reception. Everything
that circumstances would admit appeared to have been done to lessen the
rigour of her confinement. The stone walls were hung with arras; and
much of the furniture a carved oak table, and velvet-covered scats,
placed in the deep embrasures of the windows—had been brought from
Jane’s late chamber in the palace.
“This seat, said the officer, pointing to a curiously-carved chair, *
was used by Queen Anne Boleyn during her imprisonment. I had it brought
hither for your ladyship’s accommodation.”
“I thank you for your consideration, sir,” replied Jane; “it will serve
to support one as unhappy as that ill-fated princess.” Having inquired
whether she had any further commands with which it was possible for
him to comply, and being answered in the negative, the officer took his
departure, and Jane was left alone.
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Alone! the thought struck chill to her heart. She was now a solitary
captive. She heard the door of her prison bolted—she examined its stone
walls, partly concealed by the tapestry—she glanced at its iron-barred
windows, and her courage forsook her. She had no bosom to lean upon—no
ear to which she could impart her sorrows. Her husband, though not far
from her, was, like her a prisoner. She pictured him in his solitary
room—and she would have given worlds to be near him—if only for a few
moments. The thought occasioned her so much anguish, that she burst
into tears, and for some time was a prey to despair. She then knelt
down beside the chair, and burying her face in her clasped hands, prayed
deeply and fervently for support through her trial. And she prayed not
in vain. She soon afterwards arose tranquil and refreshed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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