“Not now, my lord,” replied Jane. “To-morrow, at the council, you shall be fully heard. And I charge you, by your allegiance, to cease all hostilities till then. Have I your knightly word for this?” “You have,” replied the Duke, after a moment’s reflection. “And yours, M. Renard?” continued the Queen, turning to him. “Since his grace has passed his word I cannot withhold mine,” replied the ambassador. “But I give it with reluctance.” “Your grace will not fail to attend the council to-morrow,” said Jane. “If your highness desires it I will not, undoubtedly,” replied the Duke. “But since you decline to act upon my advice, there can be little need for my presence.” “My wishes—my commands are, that you attend,” rejoined the Queen. “Your wishes are commands,” rejoined the Duke. “I will be there.” “Enough,” replied Jane. “M. Renard, you will accompany me to the palace.” As the ambassador was preparing to depart, he perceived Northumberland’s cap lying at his feet. “Your grace’s hat,” he observed, pointing to it. And glancing significantly at Jane, he added, in an audible whisper, “Would the head were in it!” “Ha!” exclaimed the Duke, laying his hand upon his sword. “But you are safe till to-morrow.” Renard made no reply, but with a smile of exultation followed the Queen out of the chapel. XI.—HOW THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND WAS PREVAILED UPON TO UNDERTAKE THE ENTERPRISE AGAINST THE LADY MARY. At noon on the following day, the Council was held as appointed by the Queen. In the meantime, alarming intelligence having been received of the accession which Mary’s party had obtained, it became absolutely necessary that immediate and decisive measures should be taken against her. As soon as the Lords of the Council, including the two ambassadors, Renard and Noailles, were assembled, and the Queen had taken her seat upon the throne, the Earl of Pembroke stepped forward, and thus addressed her:— “It is with infinite concern that I have to apprise your majesty that news has just been brought that Sir Edward Hastings, with an army of four thousand men, has gone over to the Lady Mary. Five counties also have revolted. Your highness is already aware that the Earls of Sussex, Bath and Oxford, Lord Wentworth, Sir Thomas Cornwallis and Sir Henry Jerningham, have raised the commoners of Suffolk and Norfolk. Lord Windsor, Sir Edmund Peckham, Sir Robert Drury, and Sir Edward Hastings, have now raised those of Buckinghamshire. Sir John Williams and Sir Leonard Chamberlain have stirred up a party in Oxfordshire, and Sir Thomas Tresham another in Northamptonshire. These rebels with their companies are now marching towards Framlingham Castle.” “The revolt must be instantly checked,” rejoined Jane. “An army must be sent against her.” “To whom will your majesty entrust its command?” inquired the Earl of Pembroke. “To one well fitted for the office,—my father, the Duke of Suffolk,” answered the Queen.