“Peace!” cried Nightgall, “I will do you no harm. Your retreat has been discovered. You must go with me to the tower leading to the Iron Gate.”
“I will never go thither of my accord,” replied Cicely. “Release me, villain. I will die sooner than become your bride.”
“We shall see that,” growled the jailer. “Another month’s captivity will make you alter your tone. You shall never be set free, unless you consent to be mine.”
“Then I shall die a prisoner like your other victims,” cried Cicely.
“Who told you I had other victims?” cried Nightgall, moodily.
“No matter who told me. I have heard Cuthbert Cholmondeley, whom I love as much as I hate you, speak of one—Alexia, I think she was named.”
“No more of this,” cried Nightgall, fiercely, “come along, or—”
“Never!” shrieked Cicely, “I will not go. You will murder me,” and she filled the chamber with her screams.
“Confusion!” cried Nightgall, “we shall be heard. Come along, I say.”
In struggling to free herself from him, Cicely fell upon the ground. Regardless of this, Nightgall dragged her by main force through the doorway, and so down the secret staircase. She continued her screams, until her head striking against the stones, she was stunned by the blow, and became insensible. He then raised her in his arms, and descending another short flight of steps, traversed a narrow passage, and came to a dark chamber beneath the Tower leading to the Iron Gate.
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CHAPTER XVII
OF THE CONSPIRACY FORMED BY DE NOAILLES; AND HOW XIT DELIVERED A LETTER TO ELIZABETH, AND VISITED COURTENAY IN THE LIEUTENANT’S LODGINGS.
AS soon as it was known that the Princess Elizabeth and Courtenay were placed under arrest, the greatest consternation prevailed throughout the Tower. While some few rejoiced in the favourite’s downfall, the majority deplored it; and it was only the idea that when Mary’s jealous indignation subsided, he would be restored to his former position, that prevented open expression being given to their sentiments. On being made acquainted with what had occurred, Gardiner instantly sought an audience of the queen, and without attempting to defend Courtenay’s conduct, he besought her earnestly to pause before she proceeded to extremities, representing the yet unsettled state of her government, and how eagerly advantage would be taken of the circumstances to stir up dissension and rebellion. Mary replied that her feelings had been so greatly outraged that she was resolved upon vengeance, and that nothing but the earl’s life would satisfy her.
“If this is your determination, madam,” returned Gardiner, “I predict that the crown will not remain upon your head a month. Though the Earl of Devonshire has grievously offended your highness, his crime is not treason. And if you put him to death for this offence, you will alienate the hearts of all your subjects.”
“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.”