Two days before she suffered, Jane said to Feckenham, “You have often expressed a wish to serve me, reverend sir. There is one favour you can confer upon me if you will.”
“What is it, madam?” he rejoined.
“Before I die,” returned Jane, “I would fain see Angela united to her lover, Cuthbert Cholmondeley. He was ever a faithful follower of my unfortunate husband, and he has exhibited a like devoted attachment to me. I know not whether you can confer this favour upon me, or whether you will do so if you can. But I venture, from your professions of regard for me, to ask it. If you consent, send, I pray you to Master John Bradford, pre bendary of Saint Paul’s, and let him perform the ceremony in this chamber.”
“Bradford!” exclaimed Feckenham, frowning. “I know the obstinate and heretical preacher well. If you are willing that I should perform the ceremony, I will undertake to obtain the queen’s permission for it. But it must not be done by Bradford.”
“Then I have nothing further to say,” replied Jane.
“But how comes it that you, Angela,” said Feckenham, addressing her in a severe tone, “the daughter of Catholic parents, both of whom suffered for their faith, abandon it?”
“A better light has been vouchsafed me,” she replied, “and I lament that they were not equally favoured.”
“Well, madam,” observed Feckenham, to Jane, “you shall not say I am harsh with you. I desire to serve Angela, for her parents’ sake—both of whom were very dear to me. I will make known your request to the queen, and I can almost promise it shall be granted on one condition.”
“On no condition affecting my opinions,” said Jane.
“Nay, madam,” returned the confessor, with a half-smile, “I was about to propose nothing to which you can object. My condition is, that if Bradford is admitted to your prison, you exchange no word with him, except in reference to the object of his visit. That done, he must depart at once.”