“Have we not troops to send him?” cried Lord Guilford Dudley. “If a leader is wanted, I will set forth at once.”
“We cannot spare another soldier from the Tower,” replied Suffolk. “London is in a state of revolt. The fortress may be stormed by the rabble, who are all in favour of Mary. The Duke has already taken all the picked men. And, if the few loyal soldiers left, are removed, we shall not have sufficient to overawe the rebels.”
“My lord,” observed the Duchess of Northumberland, “you have allowed the council too much sway. They will overpower you. And your highness,” she added, turning to Jane, “has suffered yourself to be deluded by the artful counsels of Simon Renard.”
“Simon Renard has given me good counsel,” replied Jane.
“You are deceived, my queen,” replied her husband. “He is conspiring against your crown and life.”
“It is too true,” added Suffolk, “I have detected some of his dark practices.”
“Were I assured of this,” answered Jane, “the last act of my reign—the last exertion of my power should be to avenge myself upon him.”
“Are the guards within the Tower true to us?” inquired Dudley.
“As yet,” replied Suffolk. “But they are wavering. If something be not done to confirm them, I fear they will declare for Mary.”
“And the council?”