“Even so,” replied he; “and yonder young gentleman that followeth is her husband, the Lord Guilford Dudley.”
Very earnestly they looked then on the face of their new Sovereign. A soft, gentle face, fair and clear complexion, brown hair, and meek, thoughtful brown eyes; and eyes that had shed tears but very lately. But Northumberland bore himself proudly, as though he felt himself a King already. And very few voices said “God save Queen Jane!” Isoult did hear a few, but few they were.
In the evening, throughout the City, and without the gates, was the new Queen proclaimed. It was now known that the King had died on the Thursday previous, and that Northumberland had kept the matter secret, until he thought Jane’s succession ensured. And by letters patent, dated the 21st of June, King Edward had bequeathed the realm to the heirs-male of his cousin the Lady Frances, Duchess of Suffolk; and should she have no heirs-male before his death, the reversion was to pass to her eldest daughter, the Lady Jane Dudley, now Queen; and for lack of her issue, to her cousin Lady Margaret Clifford. The sisters of Jane were passed over, and also the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth, sisters of the late King.
All the Queen’s officers, and her Council, were sworn to serve her on the 9th of July; and troops were sent to take the Lady Mary, who had already been proclaimed Queen at Kenninghall in Norfolk.
Every body was glad to see Mr Rose come in that evening.
“Well!” said he, “we are well into a new reign. Thank God for a Protestant Prince!”
“There Underhill shall run a tilt with you,” said John, smiling.
“My friend, had the Lady Mary not been exempted of the King her brother, I had bowed to her sceptre,” said Mr Rose. “But she is lawfully put forth; and Queen Jane as lawfully proclaimed.”
“Who talks treason here?” cried Mr Underhill’s voice behind, which all dreaded to hear. “What say you—‘God save Queen Jane?’ I say, God save Queen Mary! I serve not my Lord of Northumberland, for all the Papists nick (give me the nick-name) me his spy! I have not proclaimed King John—whereof, as all men do know, Queen Jane is but the feminine. I am a servant of the Queen’s Majesty that reigneth by right, and that Queen is Mary. God defend the right, as assuredly He will!”
Mr Rose looked quietly on him.