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Something, indeed, there was of majesty in the strangers demeanour, that, coupled with his sinister looks and the extraordinary brilliancy of his eyes, impressed the superstitious youth with the notion that he was in the presence of an unearthly being. Struck by this idea, he glanced at the strangers feet, in expectation of finding one of the distinctive marks of the Prince of Darkness. But he beheld nothing except a finely-formed limb, clothed in black silk hose and a velvet shoe, above which hung the point of a lengthy rapier.
I am neither the enemy of mankind nor your enemy, good youth, observed the stranger, who guessed the cause of Gilberts apprehensions. Bring your grandame hither, and take heed how you approach her, or your looks will alarm her more than mine do you.
It was not without reason that this caution was given. Gilberts appearance was ghastly in the extreme. His countenance was haggard with the loss of blood; his garments torn and saturated with moisture; and his black dripping locks, escaping from the blood-stained bandage around his head, contrasted fearfully with the deathly paleness of his visage. Acknowledging the justice of the suggestion, Gilbert decided upon proceeding in the dark, that his appearance might not be observed.
Accordingly, he crept cautiously up stairs, and returned in a few minutes with his aged relative. Gilbert found the stranger in the same attitude he had left him, and his appearance startled Gunnora, as much as it had done him.
Crossing herself, she glanced uneasily at the mysterious stranger. From him her eye wandered to Gilbert; and terrified by his haggard looks, she cried in a tone of anxiety, You have suffered much, my child. The ill news reached me of the shameful punishment with which you have been visited for your loyalty to your true Queen. I heard also that you had been conveyed a prisoner to the Tower; and was about to make suit to the gracious lady, Jane Dudley, in your behalf. Was I wrongfully informed?
No, mother, you were not, replied Gilbert. But heed me not. There stands the worshipful gentleman who desires to speak with you.
I am ready to answer his questions, said Gunnora. Let him propose them.
First, let me tell you, dame, said the stranger, that your grandsons devotion to Queen Mary shall not pass unrequited. Ere many days perchance many hours shall have passed, he shall exchange his serge doublet for a suit of velvet.
You hear that, mother, exclaimed Gilbert, joyfully.
Who are you that make him the offer? asked Gunnora, stedfastly regarding the stranger.
You shall know, anon, he replied. Suffice it, I can make good my words. Your presence is required in the Tower.
By the Lady Jane, I should say by the queen? rejoined Gunnora.
By the Privy Council, returned the stranger.
What do they seek from me? demanded the old woman.
To testify to the death of his late Majesty, King Edward the Sixth, replied the other.
Ha! exclaimed Gunnora.
Fear nothing, rejoined the stranger. The council will befriend you. Their object is to prove that Edward was poisoned by Northumberlands order. Can you do this?
I can, replied Gunnora. My hand administered the fatal draught.
Yours, mother! ejaculated Gilbert, horror-stricken.
Prove this, and Northumberland will lose his head, said the stranger.
Were my own to fall with it, I would do so, replied Gunnora. My sole wish is to avenge my foster-son, the great Duke of Somerset, who fell by Northumberlands foul practices. It was therefore when all the physicians of the royal household were dismissed, and the duke sent messengers for empirical aid, that I presented myself, and offered my services. When I beheld the royal sufferer, I saw he had but short space to live. But short as it was, it was too long for the duke. A potion was prepared by Northumberland, which I administered. From that moment his highness grew worse, and in six hours he was a corpse.
It was a cursed deed, cried Gilbert.
True, replied Gunnora, it was so, and Heaven will surely avenge it. But I did it to get Northumberland into my power. The kings case was past all remedy. But he might have lingered for days and weeks, and the duke was impatient for the crown. I was impatient too but it was for his head. And therefore I did his bidding.
Your vengeance shall be fully gratified, replied the stranger. Come with me.
Hold! exclaimed Gunnora. How will his testimony affect the Lady Jane?
It will deprive her of her crown perchance her head, rejoined the stranger.
Then it shall never be uttered, replied Gunnora, firmly.
Torture shall wring it from you, cried the stranger, furiously.
The old woman drew herself up to her full height, and, regarding the stranger fixedly, answered in a stern tone Let it be tried upon me.
Mother, said Gilbert, striding between them, and drawing his dagger, go back to your own room. You shall not peril your safety thus.
Tush! exclaimed the stranger, impatiently. No harm shall befal her. I thought you were both loyal subjects of Queen Mary. How can she assume the sovereign power while Jane grasps the sceptre?
But you aim at her life? said Gunnora.
No, replied the stranger, I would preserve her. My object is to destroy Northumberland, and restore the crown to her to whom it rightfully belongs.
In that case I will go with you, returned the old woman.
You will fall into a snare, interposed her grandson. Let him declare who he is.
I will reveal my name to your grandame, boy, replied the stranger. And advancing towards Gunnora, he whispered in her ear.
The old woman started and trembled.
Hinder me not, Gilbert, she said. I must go with him.
Shall I accompany you? asked her grandson.
On no account, replied the stranger, unless you desire to be lodged in the deepest dungeon in the Tower. Be at the place of rendezvous to-morrow night, and you shall know more. Are you ready, good dame?
Gunnora signified her assent; and, after a few parting words with her grandson, the latter unfastened a small door, opening upon the yard, and let them out.
They were scarcely clear of the house, when the stranger placing a silver whistle to his lips, blew a call upon it, which was instantly answered by a couple of attendants. At a signal from their leader they placed themselves on either side of Gunnora, and in spite of her resistance and remonstrances, dragged her forcibly along. The stranger, who marched a few yards in advance, proceeded at so rapid a pace, that the old woman found it utterly impossible to keep up with him. She therefore stood still, and refused to take another step. But this did not avail her, for the two attendants seized her in their arms, and hurried forward as swiftly as before.
Though bewildered and alarmed, Gunnora did not dare to cry out for assistance. Indeed, they did not encounter a single passenger in the streets, until, as they were descending Budge-row, they heard the clank of arms, and beheld the gleam of torches borne by a party of the watch who were approaching from Can-wick-street, or as it is now called, Cannon-street.
Turning off on the right, the stranger descended Dowgate-hill, and gained Thames-street before he had been remarked. A short time sufficed to bring him to St. Mary-hill, up which he mounted, and entering Thames-street, and passing St. Dunstans in the East on the right, and the ancient church of All Hallows Barking on the left, he reached Great Tower-hill.