“Be it so,” replied Mary sternly. “No personal consideration shall deter me from my just revenge.”
“And what of the Princess Elizabeth?” asked the Bishop.
“She shall share his fate,” answered the Queen.
“This must not be, my gracious mistress,” cried Gardiner, throwing himself at her feet. “Here I will remain till I have driven these dark and vindictive feelings from your breast. Banish the Earl — take his life, if nothing else will content you, but do not raise your hand against your sister.”
“Bishop of Winchester,” replied the Queen, “how many hours have you knelt before my father, Henry the Eighth, and have yet failed to turn him from his purpose! I am by nature as jealous — as firm — as obstinate, if you will — as he was. Arise.”
“No, madam,” replied Gardiner, “I will not rise till I have convinced you of your error. Your august father was a prince of high and noble qualities, but the defects that clouded his royal nature would show to double disadvantage in one of your sex. Dismiss all thought of this faithless Earl from your heart — banish him from your presence, from your kingdom — nay, keep him in durance if you will, but use no harsh measures against the Princess Elizabeth, Every step taken against her will be fearfully resented by the Protestant party, of which I need not remind you she is the representative.”
“And what matter if it be, my lord?” rejoined Mary. “I am strong enough to maintain my own authority, and shall be right glad of some plea to put down heresy and schism by fire and sword. You are not wont to advocate this cause.”
“Nor do I advocate it now, madam,” returned Gardiner. “All I counsel is prudence. You are not yet strong enough to throw off the mask of toleration which you have hitherto worn. Your first parliament has not yet met. The statutes establishing the Reformed religion are yet unrepealed — nay, though I shame to speak it, the marriage of your illustrious parents has not yet been confirmed.”
“You should shame to speak it, my lord,” rejoined Mary fiercely; “for it is mainly by your machinations that the divorce was obtained.”
“I own it to my sorrow,” replied Gardiner, “but I then owed the same obedience to your illustrious sire that I now owe to your Highness. I did your injured mother great wrong, but if I live I will repair it. This, however, is foreign to the subject. Your Majesty may believe me when I tell you, your worst enemies could not desire you to take a more injudicious step, or one more fraught with danger to yourself than to strain your prerogative against Courtenay and Elizabeth.”
“Were I to assent to your request and set them free,” replied Mary, after a moment’s reflection, “the first act of the Princess would be to unite herself to this perfidious villain.”
“I do not think it,” replied Gardiner. “But what if she were to do so?”
“What!” exclaimed Mary furiously. “The thought revives all my indignation. Am I so tame of spirit that I can bear to see him whom I have loved united to a rival I hate? No, my lord, I am not. This is no doubtful case, I have heard his treachery with my own ears, seen it with my own eyes, and I will terribly avenge myself. Courtenay never again shall behold Elizabeth. He has breathed his last false sigh, uttered his last perjured profession of love, exchanged his last look, unless they meet upon the scaffold. You know not what an injured woman feels. I have the power of avenging myself, and, by my father’s head, I will use it!”
“And when you have gratified this fell passion, madam,” returned Gardiner, “remorse will succeed, and you will bitterly regret what you have done. Since nothing better may be, and if you will not nobly, and like yourself, pardon the offenders, at least reflect before you act. If you persist in your present intention, it will be the duty of all your faithful subjects to prepare for a rebellion, for such will certainly ensue.”
“Make what preparations you deem fitting, my lord,” replied Mary. “In my father’s time the people did not dare to resist his decrees, however arbitrary.”
“The people are no longer what they were, madam, nor are you — for I must make bold to say so — in the position, or backed by the power of your dread father. What he did is no rule for you. I am no advocate for Courtenay — nor for the Princess Elizabeth. Could you avenge yourself upon them with safety, though I should lament it, I would not oppose you. But you cannot do so. Others must bleed at the same time. Remember the Lady Jane Grey and her husband yet live. You will revive their faction, and must of necessity doom them to death to prevent another rebellion. Once begun, there will be no end to bloodshed.”
“These are cogent reasons, my lord,” returned Mary, after a moment’s reflection, “supposing them well founded.”
“And trust me, they are well founded, gracious madam,” replied the Bishop. “Do not sacrifice your kingdom — do not sacrifice the holy Catholic Church which looks to you for support — to an insane thirst of vengeance,”
“Gardiner,” replied Mary, taking his hand and looking at him earnestly, “you know not how I have loved this man. Put yourself in my position. How would you act?”
“As I am assured your Highness would, if you were not under the dominion of passion,” replied the Bishop—” forgive him.”
“I would do so,” rejoined Mary, “but oh! if he were to wed Elizabeth, I should die. I would rather yield them my crown — my life — than consent to their espousals. But I will not think for myself. Arise, my lord. Give me your counsel, and what you recommend I will follow.”
“Spoken like yourself, gracious madam,” replied the Bishop. “I was sure your noble nature could soon triumph over unworthy thoughts. Since your Highness thinks it possible Courtenay may wed Elizabeth, I would advise you to detain him for the present a captive in the Tower. But instantly liberate the Princess, dismiss her from your court, and let her retire to Ashbridge.”
“I like your advice well, my lord,” replied the Queen, “and will act upon it. The Princess shall set out today.”
“I cannot too highly applaud your Highness’s determination,” replied Gardiner; “but as you have spoken thus frankly, may I venture to ask whether the Earl’s case is utterly hopeless? — whether, after he has sufficiently felt the weight of your displeasure, you will not restore him to your favor — to your affections?”
“Never,” replied Mary firmly, “never. And could you counsel it?”
“He is inexperienced, madam,” urged the Bishop; “and after this salutary lesson—”
“No more, my lord,” interrupted the Queen, a shade passing over her features, “it is too late.”
“Too late!” echoed Gardiner. “Am I to understand your Highness has made another engagement?”
“You are to understand nothing more than you are told, my lord,” replied Mary angrily. “In due season you shall know all,”
As Gardiner bowed in acquiescence, he perceived the miniature of Philip of Spain lying on the table, and a sudden apprehension of the truth crossed him.
“There is one person upon whom I should chiefly desire your Highness’s choice not to fall,” he said.
“And that is — ?” interrupted Mary.
“Philip of Spain,” answered Gardiner.
“What objections have you to him, my lord?” demanded the Queen uneasily.
“My objections are threefold,” rejoined Gardiner. “First, I dislike the tyrannical character of the Prince, which would be ill suited to render your Highness’s union a happy one. Secondly, I am assured that the match would be disagreeable to your subjects — the English nation not being able to brook a foreign yoke; and of all dominations none being so intolerable as that of Spain. Thirdly, the alliance would plunge us in endless wars with France — a country that would never tamely submit to such a formidable extension of power as this would prove on the part of its old enemy, Charles the Fifth.”
“If not Philip of Spain, whom would you recommend me?” asked Mary, who was anxious to mislead him.
“One of your own nobles,” replied Gardiner; “by which means your
authority would be unabridged. Whereas, if you wed a prince, odious for his tyranny in the eyes of all Europe—”
“No more of this, my lord,” interrupted Mary hastily.
“Madam,” said Gardiner, “however I may risk displeasing you, I should be wanting in duty, in loyalty, and in sincerity, were I not strongly to warn you against a match with Philip of Spain. It will be fatal to your own happiness — fatal to the welfare of your people.”
“I have already said it is too late,” sighed Mary. “Your Majesty has not affianced yourself to him? cried Gardiner anxiously.
“Question me no further,” rejoined Mary. “What is done is done.”
“Alas! madam,” cried Gardiner, “I understand your words too well. You have taken a perilous step, at the instigation of evil councillors, and under the influence of evil passions. God grant good may come of it!”
“These are mere surmises on your part, my lord,” returned Mary. “I have not told you I have taken any step.”
“But your Majesty leads me to infer it,” answered the Bishop. “For your own sake, and for the sake of your kingdom, I trust my fears are unfounded.”
As he spoke, an usher approached, and informed the Queen that the Imperial Ambassador, Simon Renard, desired an audience.
“Admit him,” said Mary. “Farewell, my lord,” she added, turning to Gardiner; “I will weigh what you have said.”
“Act upon it, gracious madam, if you can,” rejoined the Bishop. “But if you are so far committed as to be unable to retreat, count upon my best services to aid you in the difficulty.”
At this moment Simon Renard entered the audience-chamber, and the expression of his countenance was so exulting, that Gardiner was convinced his conjectures were not far wide of the truth. His first object on quitting the royal presence was to seek out Feckenham, from whom he succeeded in eliciting the fact of the betrothment in St. John’s Chapel; and with a breast full of trouble he returned to his own apartments. On the way thither he encountered De Noailles.
“Well met, my lord,” cried the Ambassador. “I was about to seek you. So, it seems all our projects are ruined. Courtenay is disgraced and imprisoned.”
“His folly has destroyed the fairest chance that ever man possessed,” observed the Bishop. “He is now irretrievably lost.”
“Not irretrievably, I trust, my good lord,” replied De Noailles “A woman’s mind is proverbially changeful. And when this jealous storm is blown over, I doubt not he will again bask in the full sunshine of royal favor.”
“Your excellency is in the wrong,” rejoined Gardiner. “The Queen will never forgive him, or, what is equally to be lamented, will never unite herself to him.”
“You speak confidently, my lord,” returned De Noailles gravely. “I trust nothing has occurred to warrant what you say.”
“M. De Noailles,” said the Bishop significantly, “look to yourself. The party of France is on the decline. That of Spain is on the ascendant.”
“What mean you, my lord?” cried the Ambassador eagerly. “Renard has not succeeded in his aim? Mary has not affianced herself to the Prince of Spain?”
“I know nothing positively,” replied Gardiner evasively. “I merely throw out the hint. It is for you to follow it up.”
“This were a blow, indeed!” cried De Noailles. “But subtle as Renard is, and with all the advantage he has gained, I will yet countermine him.”
“You shall not want my aid,” returned Gardiner, “provided you hatch no treason against the Queen. And that you may the better know how to act, learn that her Majesty is affianced to Philip of Spain.”
“Curses on the crafty Spaniard!” exclaimed De Noailles furiously. “But I will yet defeat him.”
“The Princess Elizabeth will be liberated to-day, and sent with a strong guard to Ashbridge,” remarked Gardiner. “Courtenay will be kept a prisoner in the Tower.”
“We must find means to liberate him,” rejoined the Ambassador.
“In this you must proceed without my aid,” said the Bishop “If it be possible to reinstate the Earl in Mary’s favor it shall be done. But I can take no part in aiding his flight.”
“Leave it to me, my lord,” rejoined De Noailles. “All I require is your voice with the Queen.”
“That you may rely on,” answered the Bishop.
With this they separated; Gardiner proceeding to his own apartments, and De Noailles bending his steps towards the Green, debating with himself as he wended thither what course it would be best to pursue in the emergency. Nothing occurred to him but expedients so hazardous that he instantly dismissed them. While resolving these matters, as he walked to and fro beneath the avenue, he was accosted by Xit, who, doffing his cap, and making a profound bow, inquired whether the rumor was correct that the Earl of Devonshire had incurred the Queen’s displeasure and was imprisoned.
“Ay, marry is it,” replied De Noailles.
“I am truly concerned to hear it,” replied the mannikin; “and I make no doubt his lordship’s disgrace is owing to the machinations of his mortal foe, Simon Renard.”
“Thou art in the right,” replied De Noailles. “And let it be known throughout the Tower that this is the case.”
“I will not fail to spread it among my fellows,” replied Xit. “But none can lament it more than myself. I would lay down my life for his lordship.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed De Noailles. “This knave may be useful,” he muttered. “Harkee, sirrah! Canst thou devise some safe plan by which a letter may be conveyed to the Earl, who is imprisoned in the lieutenant’s lodgings?”
“Your excellency could not have chanced upon one more able or willing to serve you,” replied Xit. “Give me the letter, and I will engage it shall reach its destination.”
“Come to my lodgings this evening,” said De Noailles, “and it shall be ready for thee. As yet, my plan is not matured.”
“Your excellency may depend upon me,” replied the dwarf. “But I conclude, if I perform my task to your satisfaction, I shall be rewarded.”
“Amply,” replied De Noailles. “Take this purse in earnest of what is to follow.”
“I do not desire gold,” returned the dwarf, restoring the purse. “What I aspire to is rank. I am tired of being attendant to three gluttonous giants. If the Earl of Devonshire is restored by my means to liberty and to the position he has lost with the Queen, I trust the service will not be unremembered, but that I may be promoted to some vacant post.”
“Doubt it not,” replied De Noailles, who could scarcely help laughing at the dwarf’s overweening vanity. “I will answer for it, if thou performest thy part well, thou shalt be knighted ere a month be past. But I will put thy skill further to the test. The Princess Elizabeth will be removed from the Tower to-day. Thou must find some means of delivering a letter to her, unperceived by her attendants.”
“I will do it,” replied Xit unhesitatingly. “Knighted, did your excellency say?”
“Ay, knighted,” returned De Noailles— “within a month. Follow me. I will prepare the letter.”
It being the ambassador’s wish to carry on a secret correspondence with the Princess, he pondered upon the safest means of accomplishing his object and chancing to notice a guitar, which had been lent him by Elizabeth, it occurred to him that it would form an excellent medium of communication. Accordingly, he set to work; and being well versed in various state ciphers, speedily traced a key to the system beneath the strings of the instrument. He then despatched it by a page to the Princess, who, immediately comprehending that some mystery must be attached to it, laid it aside to take with her to Ashbridge. De Noailles meanwhile wrote a few hasty lines on a piece of paper, explaining his motive in sending the guitar, and delivering it to Xit, charged him, as he valued his life, not to attempt to give it to the Princess, unless he could do so unobserved.
About noon, Elizabeth, escorted by Sir Edward Hastings, and a large guard, left the palace. She was on horseback, and as she rode through the g
ateway of the By-ward Tower, Xit, who had stationed himself on Og’s shoulder, took off his bonnet, and let it fall as if by accident, on her steed’s head. Startled by the blow, the animal reared, and in the confusion that ensued, the dwarf contrived to slip the billet unperceived into her hand. As soon as the cavalcade had passed on, and the dwarf had undergone a severe rebuke from Og and the other warders for his supposed carelessness, he hastened to the Ambassador’s room, to relate the successful issue of his undertaking. De Noailles was overjoyed by the intelligence, complimented him on his skill, promised him still higher dignities in case of success, and bade him return in the evening for further orders.
The remainder of the day was consumed by the Ambassador in revolving his project. The more he reflected upon the matter, the more convinced he became that, in the present critical state of affairs, nothing could be done without some daring conspiracy; and after a long debate, he conceived a scheme which would either overthrow Mary’s government altogether, and place Elizabeth on the throne, or reduce the former to such an abject state that he could dictate his own terms to her. On consideration, thinking it better not to write to the Earl for fear of mischance, he entrusted Xit with a message to him, earnestly impressing upon the dwarf the necessity of caution.
The subject of all this plotting, it has been stated, was confined in the lieutenant’s lodgings. Every consideration due to his rank and peculiar position was shown him by Sir Henry Bedingfeld. He was permitted to occupy the large chamber on the second floor, since noted as the scene of the examinations of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators. He was, however, strictly guarded. No one was allowed to hold any communication with him either personally or by letter, except through the medium of the lieutenant. And every article either of attire or furniture that was brought him was carefully inspected before it was delivered to him.
Xit who, as a privileged person, went and came where he pleased, found little difficulty in obtaining admittance to the lieutenant’s lodgings. But all his cunning could not procure him a sight of the prisoner, and after wasting several hours in fruitless attempts, being fearful of exciting suspicion, he was compelled for that night to relinquish the design. The next day he was equally unsuccessful, and he was almost driven to his wits’ end with perplexity, when as he was passing beneath a tree at the southern extremity of the Green, he chanced to cast his eye upwards, and saw a cat spring from one of the topmost branches on to the roof of the Bloody Tower.
The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth Page 147
