though I for one do think there be his betters not far off. Then-so it be said, though I know not how true it be,--his knowledge of seamanship is inferior to none; which hath not only enabled him to exhibit his valour against the enemy with great effect; but hath given him marvellous facilities in the discovery of strange lands. Besides which, they that take upon themselves to know this phoenix, do give out that he is a very Solomon for wisdom, and is wonderfully quick at penning a stanza."

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And what hath all this to do with the matter?" haughtily enquired my Lord Essex, who, though he could not help admiring the character of Sir Walter Raleigh, liked not to hear of his praises so conspicuously.

"Much more, my good lord, than it doth appear to you," replied Cecil, in a tone, and with a manner of great meaning. "Mark me! I do not blame this valiant gentleman for wishing to make the most of his qualifications, for it is natural for a man to advance his fortunes as well as he can; but if he, standing upon the opinion some have of him, which in all honesty seemeth to me strangely over-rated, seek to gain the first place at court, and poison the queen's ear against the absent”

At this moment my Lord of Essex, who had exhibited signs of great impatience during the speech of his companion-with his handsome countenance hugely disturbed-leaped suddenly upon his feet, and exclaimed,

"By God's wrath, if he hath slandered me, I'll make him rue it." "Nay, I said not that, my good lord," observed the crafty Cecil, with a shew of sincerity. "Indeed, far be it from me to give you so ill an opinion of one who, beyond all dispute, hath signalized himself very honourably; but your absence doth throw great temptation in his way. I pray you be seated, my lord:-and there are some men-such is the perversity of human nature-who think it no discredit to them to build their rise by working at the fall of their betters. I would you would not stand, my lord:-not that I think Sir Walter Raleigh is of such kind, but being the captain of the guard, in constant attendance on the queen, where he hath many opportunities to drop hints to your disadvantage, which in charity I do not think he would:-I would say, perhaps he might, as the only way of dispossessing you of that high seat in the queen's grace you so worthily fill, be induced to increase her majesty's displeasure against you as much as lay in his power. But be seated, I pray you, my lord."

"If he attempt it, were he twenty Sir Walter Raleighs, he should. have his deserts," said the proud noble, evidently much disturbed by what he had heard; then, smiling contemptuously, added," but he dare not," and quickly resumed his seat.

"There are we of the same opinion," observed Cecil, who, with an unmoved countenance, had all the time kept a careful scrutiny of the features of his companion. "When I consider that he is nothing better than a simple knight, whilst you, my good lord, are known to be connected with the powerfulest families in the kingdom, and even stand in some relationship with the queen's majesty, I do con

ceive that he hath more wit than to attempt such a mad scheme as the driving you away from the court, that he might supply your place; nevertheless, speaking from the love I bear you, I do advise that you keep with the queen as much as may be possible; thereby shall you hinder all foolish speculations of the kind, that may be built upon your absence, and notice for yourself whether this Sir Walter Raleigh be inclined to push himself forward at your expense, as some say; though for mine own part, I do not think of his disposition so badly, having, in all my intercourse with him, found him to be a gentleman of very excellent integrity. Allow me also to hope, that what my zeal for you hath emboldened me to say, you will not take in ill part, assuring you that, of all men living, is there not one I hold in so much respect as yourself."

"I am greatly beholden to you, and will think of your advice,” replied my Lord Essex, rising, with considerable assumption of dignity, from his chair, as he began putting on his embroidered gloves," but where is my Lord Burghley?"

"My father hath not long returned from the council," said his companion:" he is greatly fatigued, and hath gone to rest, desiring not to be disturbed. I pray you, my good lord, excuse seeing him today."

"In truth I have no particular business with him," said his lordship, carelessly, as he arranged a costly silk cloak he wore upon his shoulder; 66 commend me to him, Sir Robert, and, if it be not displeasing to you, I will see you again on this matter at a fitting hour." "I shall feel proud of the honour you will do me, my good lord," replied Cecil, as with much shew of respect he followed his visitor out of the door, when he had put on his hat, which was of a high crown, with a precious jewel in the front; and made the serving men, some of whom were straggling about the hall, hasten to open the gates, where he kept bowing to my Lord Essex very courteously, who received his salutations with a haughty inclination of the head, before he moved away from Exeter House, to cross to the river where he had left his barge; and then the other came back, seemingly in a very thoughtful mood, to the armoury, and fastened himself in.

He had sat himself down therein scarcely a minute, when he was aware of a gentle tapping at the wainscot; which as soon as he heard, a smile of peculiar meaning passed over his grave features, and going directly to a place where hung a suit of Saracen mail, he did presently open a concealed door, and there entered thereat Lord Henry Howard. "Hast any news?" asked Sir Robert, eagerly.

"Indeed have I," said my lord.

"Good news?" enquired Cecil.

"Excellent good news," replied his companion.

"From the Scottish king, eh, my good lord?" said the other, in a whisper.

"No, i'faith-it hath not travelled so far: 'tis English news;— news of our incomparable captain of the guard."

"Ha! what doth he seem inclined to take the bait, and quarrel with Essex?" enquired the other.

"I doubt it much," responded his companion; " I moved him a little, but not sufficient to ground any such hopes upon."

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"Tis enough," exclaimed Cecil, each is jealous of the other, and very small things will suffice to increase their mutual ill will. I have had Essex here, and have just succeeded in stirring up his ancient animosity against Raleigh, and I will take good heed it shall not go out for want of fuel. See you my object?"

"To ruin both in good time, I hope," said Lord Howard.

'True;-but more immediately to play one against the other, that we may take advantage of their disunion; for were they strict friends, they would be too strong for us; or were either to be allowed to proceed in his course without molestation of a rival, he would soon have too firm a seat for us to shake him out. We will set them by the ears, and I doubt not we shall find our profit in it. But what news have you of Raleigh?”

"What think you of a dainty intrigue now with one of the maids of honour?"

"No!" cried the other, incredulously.

"Just ripe for a discovery-a private marriage about to take place, to hide the unwelcome consequences."

"To whom-where is she-what is her name?" hastily enquired Cecil, shewing by the earnest expression of his countenance, the interest he took in the intelligence.

"She is no other than the right modest daughter of old Sir Nicholas Throckmorton."

"The fool's ruined," exclaimed Sir Robert; " but how know you this? how can it be proved?"

"I was informed of it by my Lady Howard of Walden," said the other. "Her ladyship, as it seemeth to me, having been slighted by this Raleigh,—I know not why, for truly she is rather a dainty piece of goods to look upon;-and suspecting from certain observations she had made, that he was the welcome lover of the virtuous Elizabeth, impelled by jealousy, did conceal herself in Mistress Throckmorton's chamber, and heard the whole of the precious secret-and now her indignant ladyship is burning to tell it to the queen."

"She must be stopped awhile-she will spoil all else," cried his companion, eagerly. "This is a delicate affair, my good lord, and requireth very careful handling, or else mischief will come of it." "I thought it of consequence, and bade her stay the discovery till I had seen you on the subject, which she hath promised me. But the best of the jest is, whilst we were in earnest conversation on this very matter, along one of the walks in the park, the queen, who was on the other side of the fence near which we stood, without our knowledge of it, overheard us, as I suppose; for we presently recognised her voice very loud, calling upon Sir Walter Raleigh to arrest us; the which put us both in such a fright, that each of us did suddenly run for it as if our lives depended on our speed of foot. Never ran I half so fast in all my days; and as for my fair cousin-by this light, there never was such a racer. It would have done your heart good to have seen us, like two Spanish galeasses, cutting before the wind with all sail, to get out of the reach of an English frigate. Thanks to the

fleetness of our heels, we escaped; but my Lady Howard hath got such a fright that she will scarce dare to open her mouth before the queen for some time to come."

"So much the better," observed his companion, drily.

"I left her to calm herself at her leisure, and hastened through the private gate in the garden to seek you here by the secret way.” "You did right, my good lord," said Cecil, as he sat himself down, somewhat abstractedly, leaning his head upon his hand.

"And now, methinks, this fine fellow, who evidently liveth in the opinion that nothing is so good as that which he doeth, hath done for himself; and I shall not be sorry for one. I like not such whippersnappers-persons of no extraction-ignoble adventurers, who are ever thrusting themselves before their superiors, and winning from them such honours as they alone were born to possess. Indeed, this Raleigh is a most pestilent piece of conceit, and I mislike him hugely: I shall glory in his downfall; and I care not how low his pride is humbled. Besides, when he hath been put out of the way, there will be only the haughty Essex to cope with; who must easily be overthrown, for he hath not the cunning of the other."

"Tush, my lord," exclaimed Cecil, with some impatience; "see you not, that if Raleigh be quite removed, Essex will be paramount? 'Tis a business that must be managed with exceeding delicacy. Hark!" he cried, in a more subdued voice, rising quickly from his seat, and opening the secret door as the Lord Howard prepared to depart, "Here are visitors coming. Haste and tell my Lady Howard not to stir in this matter till I have seen her." Then closing it upon his retreating associate, and unfastening the other door, he was in a minute very busily employed upon some writings on a table before him, when there came a knock; and as soon as he had called out to them that they might have admittance, there entered Sir Walter Raleigh, with a very courtier-like looking gentleman, most daintily attired.

"Now I take this as exceeding kind of you, Sir Walter," exclaimed Cecil, in a manner marvellously friendly, as he recognised his visitors. "And my worthy brother-in-law, my Lord Cobham, too! I know not which to be thankful for most-the presence of yourself or your friend. I pray you be seated."

"Indeed I have but called to acquaint you that her majesty hath signified her consent to my expedition," observed Raleigh.

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"Of that I am very heartily glad, believe me," said Sir Robert, shaking Sir Walter by the hand with as much earnestness as if he had been the best friend he had in the world, and knowing, as I do, your fitness to lead to a profitable and glorious issue all such armaments, in which, as far as I have heard of the best judges, is no man living your superior, I do build upon it great hopes of your advancement in the queen's favour; whereat none of all your friends will feel more infinite delight than myself. But sit, I pray you, and let us drink a bottle of Ippocras to your successful voyage.

"With all my heart!" exclaimed the Lord Cobham, cheerfully, as he flung himself carelessly into a chair, and did put aside his hat. "Such a proposition must be welcome for the sake of mine accom

plished friend-but there is another consideration that claimeth to be taken into account-my throat is dry."

"A good consideration truly," remarked Cecil with a smile, as he rang a silver bell that lay upon the table.

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Nay, if you will have wine, I must leave you two to the enjoyment of it-my duties permitting me not to assist you in what would otherwise be mightily agreeable to me; for I must hurry to attend upon her majesty to the playhouse."

"Now sit you down," replied Sir Robert with great demonstration of friendship, preventing Sir Walter from leaving the room, "it wanteth, to my certain knowledge, a good half hour to the time when her majesty is like to be ready, so your haste need not be so immediate-besides I take it hugely unkind of you, seeing that while I, who am of so notorious a gravity, for the sake of one to whose admirable qualities I stand so well affected, am inclined to unbend to a becoming sociality; you, who are well known to be the most absolute prince of good fellows, on the poor excuse of press of time, do seek to play the churl with my well-disposedness.".

“I'faith, Raleigh, there must surely be time for a glass or two with my worthy brother-in-law," said his friend, and then added very gravely, "and there is a very good reason why I think so.'

"Out with your reason, my good lord," exclaimed Cecil, somewhat urgently," out with your reason, if you love me, for I do truly hope it will be a convincing one."

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'My throat, is dry," sagely replied th Lord Cobham.

"O'my life there is no standing against so grave an argument," said Sir Walter, laughingly as he uncovered and did sit himself down, "so I must e'en be indebted to your courtesy."

At this instant a serving man entered, to whom orders were given for the bringing of the Ippocras; and Sir Walter Raleigh noticing a peculiar suit of armour, Sir Robert Cecil then did acquaint him how his father, the Lord Burghley, took great delight in making a collection of offensive and defensive arms, of different times and countries, the which he had that room built on purpose to receive, in preference to keeping them at his magnificent mansion at Theobald's, or at Burghley House; and when sir Walter, being very learned in these things, did explain to him the age and nature of some, he listened with exceeding respect. In truth, although Cecil was the youngest of the three, he was the very craftiest man in all her majesty's dominions. His appearance was in no ways prepossessing-being short of stature, and with a face not at all handsome, shrewd eyes, and a scanty beard; yet by falling into the humours of the great-affecting a wonderful sincerity, and seeming of a serious turn, he had advanced himself to her majesty's confidence-nor was he inclined there to stop, for ambition was his ruling passion: and every thing he schemed about, had for its object, without making enemies, to get as much power as was possible into his own hands. All this time my Lord Cobham was arranging his hair, and trifling with his beard before a very polished coat of mail, that served him as a mirror.

The wine now having been brought in and poured out by the serving man before he left the room, into three tall Venetian glasses, Sir