"I thank your lordship for your consideration: but I take you all to witness that I profess the utmost loyalty and devotion for my sovereign, and that, whatever may be my fate, those feelings will remain unchanged to the last." "Your manner and your words are so sincere, that, were not your conduct at variance with them, they might convince us," returned the Earl.

"As it is, even if we could credit your innocence, we are bound to act as if you were guilty.

You will be committed to the Tower till his Majesty's pleasure is known.

And I grieve to add, if you still continue obstinate, the severest measures will be resorted to, to extract the truth from you." As he concluded, he attached his signature to a warrant which was lying on the table before him, and traced a few lines to Sir William Waad, lieutenant of the Tower.
This done, he handed the papers to Topcliffe, and waving his hand, Viviana was removed to the chamber in which she had been previously confined, and where she was detained under a strict guard, until Topcliffe, who had left her, returned to say that all was in readiness, and bidding her follow him, led the way to the river-side, where a wherry, manned by six rowers, was waiting for them.
The night was profoundly dark, and, as none of the guard carried torches, their course was steered in perfect obscurity.

But the rowers were too familiar with the river to require the guidance of light.
Shooting the bridge in safety, and pausing only for a moment to give the signal of their approach to the sentinels on the ramparts, they passed swiftly under the low-browed arch of Traitor's Gate..