“True,” replied Jane. “My lords, I resign the crown into your hands; and Heaven grant you may prove more faithful to Mary than you have been to me. In obedience to you, my lord,” she continued, addressing her husband, “I acted a violence on myself, and have been guilty of a grievous offence. But the present is my own act. And I willingly abdicate the throne to correct another’s fault, if so great a fault can be corrected by my resignation and sincere acknowledgment.”
“You shall not abdicate it, Jane,” cried Dudley, fiercely. “I will not yield. Stand by me, Cholmondeley, and these audacious traitors shall find I am still master here. Let those who are for Queen Jane surround the throne.”
As he spoke, he glanced round authoritatively, but no one stirred.
“Speak!” he cried, in accents of rage and disappointment. “Are ye all traitors? Is no one true to his allegiance?”
But no answer was returned.
“They are no traitors, my lord,” said Simon Renard. “They are loyal subjects of Queen Mary.”
“He speaks truly, my dear lord,” replied Jane. “It is useless to contend further. I am no longer queen.”
So saying, she descended from the throne.
“My lords,” she continued, addressing the Council, “you are now masters here. Have I your permission to retire?”
“You have, noble lady,” replied Pembroke. “But it grieves me to add, that you must perforce remain within the Tower till the pleasure of her Highness respecting you has been ascertained.”