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The World's Greatest Books — Volume 01 — Fiction by Various
page 39 of 407 (09%)
"I do not sue for myself," rejoined Jane, "but for my husband. I have
come to offer myself for him. If your highness has any pity for me,
extend it to him, and heap his faults on my head."

Queen Mary was deeply moved. Had not Gardiner intervened, she would
undoubtedly have granted the request; but Gardiner suggested that the
price of the pardon should be the public reconciliation of Lady Jane and
her husband with the Church of Rome.

"I cannot," said Jane. "I will die for him, but I cannot destroy my soul
alive."


_IV.--The Torture Chamber and the Block_


After a week's imprisonment, Cuthbert was closely questioned, and his
answers being deemed unsatisfactory, he was ordered to be examined under
torture. With fiendish delight Nightgall took him to the horrible
chamber. There, the first thing that he saw was the tortured, mangled
figure of Lord Dudley, covered from head to foot by a blood-coloured
cloth.

"You here?" cried the ghastly, distorted figure. "Where is Jane? Has she
fled? Has she escaped?"

"She has surrendered herself," replied Cholmondeley, "in the hope of
obtaining your pardon."

"False hope! Delusive expectation!" exclaimed Dudley, in tones of
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