“Ha!” exclaimed Gunnora. “Fear nothing,” rejoined the stranger. “The council will befriend you. Their object is to prove that Edward was poisoned by Northumberland’s order. Can you do this?” “I can,” replied Gunnora. “My hand administered the fatal draught.” “Yours, mother!” ejaculated Gilbert, horror-stricken. “Prove this, and Northumberland will lose his head,” said the stranger. “Were my own to fall with it, I would do so,” replied Gunnora. “My sole wish is to avenge my foster-son, the great Duke of Somerset, who fell by Northumberland’s foul practices. It was therefore when all the physicians of the royal household were dismissed, and the duke sent messengers for empirical aid, that I presented myself, and offered my services. When I beheld the royal sufferer, I saw he had but short space to live. But short as it was, it was too long for the duke. A potion was prepared by Northumberland, which I administered. From that moment his highness grew worse, and in six hours he was a corpse.” “It was a cursed deed,” cried Gilbert. “True,” replied Gunnora, “it was so, and Heaven will surely avenge it. But I did it to get Northumberland into my power. The king’s case was past all remedy. But he might have lingered for days and weeks, and the duke was impatient for the crown. I was impatient too—but it was for his head. And therefore I did his bidding.” “Your vengeance shall be fully gratified,” replied the stranger. “Come with me.” “Hold!” exclaimed Gunnora. “How will his testimony affect the Lady Jane?” “It will deprive her of her crown—perchance her head,” rejoined the stranger. “Then it shall never be uttered,” replied Gunnora, firmly. “Torture shall wring it from you,” cried the stranger, furiously. The old woman drew herself up to her full height, and, regarding the stranger fixedly, answered in a stern tone—“Let it be tried upon me.” “Mother,” said Gilbert, striding between them, and drawing his dagger, “go back to your own room. You shall not peril your safety thus.” “Tush!” exclaimed the stranger, impatiently. “No harm shall befal her. I thought you were both loyal subjects of Queen Mary. How can she assume the sovereign power while Jane grasps the sceptre?” “But you aim at her life?” said Gunnora. “No,” replied the stranger, “I would preserve her. My object is to destroy Northumberland, and restore the crown to her to whom it rightfully belongs.” “In that case I will go with you,” returned the old woman. “You will fall into a snare,” interposed her grandson. “Let him declare who he is.” “I will reveal my name to your grandame, boy,” replied the stranger. And advancing towards Gunnora, he whispered in her ear. * The old woman started and trembled. “Hinder me not, Gilbert,” she said. “I must go with him.” “Shall I accompany you?” asked her grandson.