“I will not upbraid you, dear Dudley,” rejoined Jane, “neither will I attempt to disguise from you that your absence has given me more anguish than aught else in this season of trouble. My crown you well know was your crown. But now, alas! I fear I have lost that which, though a bauble in my eyes, was a precious-jewel in yours.” “Oh, say not so, my queen,” replied Lord Guilford, passionately. “Things are not so desperate as you imagine. I have letters full of hope and confidence from my father, who has reached Bury Saint Edmund’s. He means to give battle to the rebels to-morrow. And the next messenger will no doubt bring news of their defeat.” “Heaven grant it may prove so, my dear lord!” rejoined Jane. “But I am not so sanguine. I have despatched missives to the sheriffs of the different counties, enjoining them to raise troops in my defence, and have summoned the Lord Mayor and the city-authorities to the council to-morrow, to decide upon what is best to be done in this emergency.” “Daughter,” said the Duke of Suffolk, “it is my duty to, inform you that I have just received letters from his Grace of Northumberland, very different in purport from that which has reached Lord Guilford. In them he expresses himself doubtful, of the result of the conflict, and writes most urgently for further succour. His men, he says, are hourly deserting to the hostile camp. And, unless he speedily receives additional force and munition, it will be impossible to engage the enemy.” “This is bad news, indeed, my lord,” replied Jane, mournfully. “Have we not troops to send him?” cried Lord Guilford Dudley. “If a leader is wanted, I will set forth at once.” “We cannot spare another soldier from the Tower,” replied Suffolk. “London is in a state of revolt. The fortress may be stormed by the rabble, who are all in favour of Mary. The Duke has already taken all the picked men. And, if the few loyal soldiers left, are removed, we shall not have sufficient to overawe the rebels.” “My lord,” observed the Duchess of Northumberland, “you have allowed the council too much sway. They will overpower you. And your highness,” she added, turning to Jane, “has suffered yourself to be deluded by the artful counsels of Simon Renard.” “Simon Renard has given me good counsel,” replied Jane. “You are deceived, my queen,” replied her husband. “He is conspiring against your crown and life.” “It is too true,” added Suffolk, “I have detected some of his dark practices.” “Were I assured of this,” answered Jane, “the last act of my reign—the last exertion of my power should be to avenge myself upon him.” “Are the guards within the Tower true to us?” inquired Dudley. “As yet,” replied Suffolk. “But they are wavering. If something be not done to confirm them, I fear they will declare for Mary.” “And the council?” “Are plotting against us, and providing for their own safety.”