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"Be advised of me, and think no more of what my foolish tongue hath let out concerning the Lord Essex," said the crafty Cecil in an under tone, with a face of much concern, as he walked by the side of Sir Walter towards the gates-the Lord Cobham following at some distance. "For your own sake, I would not have you quarrel. He hath great power of friends, and-not that I think so ill of that honourable lord as to imagine he would do aught dishonest against you-remember he is the late Lord Leicester's kinsman, like enough, may have been his pupil-and, as it may be known to you, the gypsy' did practise very devilish arts against those whom he misliked."

"If I mistake him not, he is of a nobler spirit than to follow so base an example," replied Sir Walter.

"So think I," added Cecil quickly—“ yet appearances are oft deceitful, and for mine own part, I do confess to you I put no great trust in him, he being so nearly allied to one who was so badly disposed. Pardon my zeal, if while I counsel you to keep on good terms with him, if it may be done without injury to your honour, I do earnestly advise you to be on your guard."

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"I take your caution in exceeding good part,' responded Raleigh," and will not fail to bear it in mind."

"I hope you will be worthily entertained of the

players," said Sir Robert Cecil, as a few minutes afterwards he stood at the gates with his two friends, "for though the gravity of my disposition inclineth not to such amusements, I am well pleased that others should enjoy them."

In a moment after, the Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Raleigh were making all haste to the water side, and the wily Cecil, with his mind filled with ambitious schemes and cunning plots, returned into the house.

CHAPTER VI.

O kiss! which doth those ruddy gems impart,
Or gems, or fruits, of new found paradise;
Breathing all bliss, and sweet'ning to the heart;
Teaching dumb lips a nobler exercise.

O kiss! which souls, ev'n souls, together ties
By links of love, and only nature's art;

How fain would I paint thee to all men's eyes;
Or of thy gifts, at least, shade out some part.
SIR PHILIP SIDNEY.

My lady is unkind perdie,

"Alack, why is she so?"

She loveth another better than me,
And yet she will say no.

SIR THOMAS WYATT.

WHEN Master Francis was left alone by his miserly uncle in the office, as hath previously been described, he presently began to turn over the papers on the desk like one in search of something; and, as if not finding what he sought, exclaiming, Surely I did leave it here," he the more carefully recommenced his search; but evidently with no better success.

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"It is gone!" cried he at last, with a countenance in which surprise seemed to mingle with

regret; and then, in much perplexity, appeared to be considering the cause of the disappearance of what he had searched for.

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Possibly my uncle hath taken and destroyed it, for he hath a strange disinclination to my writing verses," said the youth-and then he did seem to think again—but, as was apparent, on another subject, for his fair brow became more troubled, and his clear and most intelligent eyes had an uneasy and suspicious look.

"If she doth affect that Ralph Goshawk?" he exclaimed in a sort of doubting yet enquiring tone, as if he knew not for certain, yet wanted to know something he feared would not be desirable to learn. Then having passed some minutes in profound yet anxious reflection, he suddenly started up, saying, "But she is too good to be deceitful," he seemed at once to dismiss all his uncomfortable thoughts, and set himself to writing out some account, with a very cheerful and delighted countenance. At this he continued diligently, but ever and anon exclaiming, "Oh, excellent Joanna !" or, with a like enthusiasm, "Dear-sweet-exquisite creature!" or, with a countenance that did witness for his sincerity, "Oh, I do love thee infinitely!" till there came a sudden turn in his humour, and with a more thoughtful look he put down his pen, and folding his arms, asked of himself the question-" But why

doth she deny me the caresses she hath so often granted?" after which he again grew uneasy (judging by the expression of his features), and it did seem as if his reflections were hurrying him to very unsatisfactory conclusions; for he looked not at all pleased.

"That Ralph Goshawk seemeth villainously familiar with her," said he at last, in rather a troubled voice; and for some minutes his cogitations appeared of a truly unhappy character: but the anxiety depicted upon his youthful features gradually began to disappear, a smile played about his delicate mouth, and seizing his pen again, exclaiming emphatically, "I'll be sworn she doth not countenance him!" he cheerfully resumed his labour. However, he had not been long so employed, before he started up in exceeding surprise and perturbation, crying out, "Here is a sad mistake!-alack, what have I written?" and then he read aloud from the account which he held in his hand-" To drawing up a bond for the payment of 250 caresses of good and lawful money of our sovereign lady Queen Joanna""Indeed," added he, taking a knife to scratch out the errors he had made," it be well my uncle saw not this, or he would be wrath-and with good cause." He then proceeded to make the necessary erasures. very carefully, only saying with great emphasis, as if wonderfully puzzled as to how such

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