crimes; could they but have read each other's thoughts, the barges would have been lightened of half their burthen long before they had reached London. Instead of the measured plashing of the oars, there would have been the ringing of cold steel, and Cecil with his pig-broth around his neck, would have been pitched to the devil before his time. But the hour was not yet come, and they went on as quietly as an assembly of black-legs, over their cards, each convinced that his companion is a rogue, yet with eye and hand alert, determined to play out the game. But we will outstrip the fleet motion of the barge, and carry our reader to the presence of the Lady Jane Grey.

CHAPTER XV.

There was a lady once, ('tis an old story,)

That would not be a queen, that would she not,

For all the mud in Egypt.

King Henry VIII.

LEAVING Gilbert Pots to pursue his journey,

heart of

our story now carries us into the very these stirring times, and to the presence of the Lady Jane Grey. It would be a dry and unwelcome task to analyze her feelings, from the time that her quietude was first disturbed by her ambitious mother, up to the period of the death of Edward. Suffice it to say that the crafty Duchess continued to work upon her at every opportunity, beset her morning and night, in a similar way to that which we have attempted to

describe in a former chapter, until she could occupy her mind with no other thoughts, than that

Fate had destined her to become a queen: : and the beautiful victim half lent her reluctant ear to its belief, wept, sighed and prayed, yet could think of nothing else. Her mind was filled with the thoughts which had been forced upon her during the day, until her rest was broken; and in sleep she saw visions of crowns, beheld beheaded relatives, heard the fires crackle, and saw the faggots blaze, which were consuming all that were dear to her: then she awoke, and wet her pillow with tears-went to sleep with a sigh, and dreamed over the same dreams again.

Her mind was gradually and unweariedly prepared for the great part which she was destined to play. The poison was administered in slow but sure doses; her unfeeling mother was constantly holding the chalice to her lips, and she drank without knowing when. Pages might

be dedicated to the plans of the attack,and even rendered interesting, but they would not for

ward our story a jot; they were revolting, coldblooded and devilish, yet she saw not through the designs of the tempter. But we will throw a veil over them; such scenes are too common; they transpire in every age: the game played for may not be so high, but the parent who edges on the daughter to marry against her consent, only enacts a similar part to that which was played by the mother of Lady Jane Grey.

To proceed with the more important incidents connected with the development of our story;—a confidential emissary of Northumberland's had started off to apprise the Duchess of Suffolk of the King's death, a short time after, an express was dispatched for the Princess Mary; thus preparing the ambitious lady for the scene which was so speedily to follow. Early as the hour was, (for it was scarcely six o'clock,) she sent a message to the Lady Jane,

begging of her to arise immediately, as she was waiting in the Summer-parlour to speak with her on matters of great import.

"She must now know all," said the unfeeling Duchess; "Northumberland, and the Lords of the Council, are already on their way hither, and all this child's play must now have an ending. A queen she must and shall be: and yet, methinks, this new honour would

-

not have sat amiss upon myself; — but she "You may guess, daughter," added

comes.

she, without betraying a symptom of emotion, at the business which has caused me to seek an interview at this early hour."

"I fear my heart tells me aright," said the Lady Jane, the tears gushing from her lovely eyes; "the King is dead!"

"He is !" replied the Duchess, "and I am the first to congratulate you on your new dignity. You are now a Queen!"

"Mother!" exclaimed the Lady Jane, catch