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
“Three months ago,” said the Ambassador, who stood with folded arms at a
little distance from them, “within this very chapel, I told the Duke of
Northumberland he would occupy that grave. My words have been fulfilled.
And I now tell you, Lord Guilford Dudley, and you Lady Jane, that unless
you are reconciled with our holy Church, you will rest beside him.”
With these words he quitted the chapel, and the guards closing round the
captives, they were compelled to follow. During their short walk, Jane
passionately implored her husband not to yield to the persuasions of his
enemies. He hung his head and returned no answer, and she inferred from
his silence, that he was not disposed to yield to her solicitations.
They were now close upon the Beauchamp Tower, when Dudley, pointing to a
barred window in the upper story of one of its turrets, observed—“Within
that room my father parsed the last few weeks of his existence.”
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Ascending the spiral stone stairs of the tower, they passed beneath the
arched doorway, and entered the principal chamber—now used—as has more
than once been observed—as the mess-room of the garrison. Here they
found Gardiner awaiting their arrival, he was seated on a high backed
arm chair between Bonner and Feckenham, who occupied stools on either
side of him, while behind him stood the friar who had attended the Duke
of Northumberland on the scaffold. Across one of the deep and arched
embrazures of the room looking towards the south, a thick curtain was
drawn, and before it, at a small table covered with a crimson cloth, on
which writing materials were placed, sat a secretary prepared to take
down the heads of the disputation. On Jane’s appearance, Gardiner and
the other ecclesiastics arose and gravely saluted her.
“You are welcome, daughter,” said the bishop. “You have come hither an
unbeliever in our doctrines. I trust you will depart confirmed in the
faith of Rome.”
“I am come to vanquish, not to yield, my lord,” replied Jane, firmly.
“And as I shall give you no quarter, so I expect none.”
“Be it so,” rejoined the bishop. “To you, my son,” he continued,
addressing Lord Guilford, “I can hold very different language. I can
give you such welcome as the prodigal son received, and rejoice in your
reconciliation with your heavenly father. And I sincerely trust that
this noble lady, your consort, will not be a means of turning aside that
mercy which her most gracious Majesty is desirous of extending towards
you.”
“My lord,” said Jane, stepping between them, and steadfastly regarding
the bishop, “if I am wrong and my husband is right, the Queen will do
well not to punish the innocent with the guilty. And you, dear Dudley,”
she continued, taking his hand, and gazing at him with streaming eyes,
“grant me one favour—the last I shall ever ask of you.”
“Daughter!” observed Gardiner, severely, “I cannot permit this
interference. I must interpose my authority to prevent your attempting
to shake your husband’s determination.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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