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Robert Cecil standing up with his glass in his hand, said, with an abundance of humility.

"It ill becometh me, who am so little skilled in speech, to attempt what requireth such true eloquence as the praise of one who hath so distinguished himself in all manner of knightly and clerk-like accomplishments, as hath my most worthy and esteemed friend Sir Walter Raleigh; yet, as he knoweth full well that my deficiency proceedeth not from lack of love, but from lack of wit, he will, İ doubt not, out of the generosity of his humour, be content with the assurance, that, as far as my humble judgment goeth, I do consider him an honour to this our age, and an example to the world, of an able commander by land or sea, a ripe and perfect scholar, and a most honourable gentleman; and knowing that he is about to command an important expedition against the enemy, he will, I question not, also allow me, from the very sincerity of my love, to wish him all that infinite success to which his great merits do entitle him.”

"In every word of this I gladly concur, and drink success to him with all my heart," added my Lord Cobham; and both, thereupon, quickly drank off their glasses.

"Sir Robert Cecil," replied Sir Walter in a truly dignified and impressive manner, as he stood up to the table-"It would be but affectation in me were I to seem indifferent to applause; for, however it may be taken, I must acknowledge, that I love praise-because I love to deserve it and if I have not merited it to the extent your goodness hath bestowed, believe me it was rather from want of ability than inclination: nevertheless I cannot say how much beholden to you I am for your good opinion, and, though as it seemeth to me, the success I may have cannot come up with your expectations, to prevent as much as lieth in my power your judgment from being called in question, I will, in all times to come, urge my poor qualifications to the utmost. Ithank you for your good wishes and my lord also– and in return drink to your prosperity."

"Well said!" exclaimed the Lord Cobham, as his friend raised the wine to his lips, and each had reseated himself "the speech is worthy of the wine, and the wine deserveth the speech-therefore are they capitally matched. I only wish my Lord Essex had tasted some of this truly delicious Ippocras before we met him just now at the river's side-methinks he would have looked with a more pleasant countenance."

"Saw you the Lord Essex as you came?" enquired Sir Robert, carelessly.

"We met somebody very like him," replied the other, "only he did regard us with an aspect so Ethiopian, I had like to have taken him for a blackamoor."

"Ah, my lord is doubtless a little out of humour," observed Cecil, significantly. "He is not in favour with the queen.'

"O' my word, one would have thought he had fallen out with his own shadow for looking black at him, and resented it by looking the like at all he met," said my Lord Cobham.

"Unfortunately, my good lord," replied the wily Cecil, “there are some men of such unhappy dispositions, that they cannot bear to

see superior merit taking the lead of them; and must therefore regard the object with a sullen and unfriendly gloominess."

"By this hand I thought so!" exclaimed Cobham.

"Not that I would wish to insinuate aught against the noble lord," continued the other, "for he is doubtless of too honourable a nature to have evil intentions against those of whose rising power he may be jealous-though I have heard it said that he beareth no good will to our excellent friend, but of the truth of it can I say nothing. Indeed, in justice to him, I can fairly assert that he hath many estimable qualities, and sheweth a very princely liberality-nevertheless, truth compelleth me to say--but your glasses are empty," said he, suddenly breaking off his discourse, and pouring out the wine.

"What were you about to advance, Sir Robert Cecil?" enquired Raleigh, very earnestly. "As far as I have had means of judging of the Lord Essex, he is a brave and honourable gentleman, but if he hath said aught or done aught against me, I should be glad to know of it."

"I pray you excuse me there, Sir Walter," quickly replied the other. "Believe me, I am no maker of mischief. It would grieve me much to see two such notable good servants of her majesty at variance; and truly your high spirits are apt enough to quarrel without being set on. The Earl of Essex hath a bountiful disposition, as I have said, and if he inclineth at times to be envious of another's greater merit and better fortune, there be not one of us without our faults; and it is but Christian charity to look over such. How like you the wine?"

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"'Tis of very curious flavour," responded Raleigh, yet, though he answered to the purpose, he did seem as if he was thinking of another matter.

"In truth, 'tis excellent good," said the Lord Cobham, looking at it through the delicate glass in which it sparkled beautifully, and then sipping it that the flavour might dwell upon his tongue, "very exquisite stuff, by this hand! I know not where I should meet with a better wine-indeed, with Ippocras of such admirable quality never came I acquainted. If it be not demanding too much of your courtesy, I pray you tell me of what vintner might you get such brave liquor?"

"Of mine own knowledge know I not, my good lord," answered Cecil, “yet will I make it my business to enquire. Believe me, I am marvellously well pleased it hath taken your fancy, as it sheweth its excellence; for, for a singular fine taste in wine, of all men living commend me to the Lord Cobham. Let me replenish your glass."

"I am infinitely bound to you-but, in very honesty, Sir Robert, I am but an indifferent judge," said my lord with some humility, yet it was evident he was well pleased with the compliment.

"Your modesty maketh you undervalue yourself," replied Sir Robert, "I have heard your judgment approved of beyond all comparison."

"'Tis indifferent-'tis indifferent," responded the other carelessly. “Nay, but I have stayed too long," exclaimed Sir Walter Raleigh,

jumping up of a sudden from a sort of reverie, and making preparations to depart.

"Not a whit," responded Cecil, "there is ample time to get to Whitehall before the queen hath need of your attendance. Another glass, I pray you."

"There, then!" cried Raleigh, tossing off the wine as his friend was making ready, "and now we must tarry no longer. Come, my lord."

"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."

"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.

"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 hurry

ing him to very unsatisfactory conclusions; for he looked not at all pleased.

"That Ralph Goshawk seemeth villanously 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"

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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 mistakes had happened, "what could I have been thinking about?"

He had but just done this when he was conscious of some one opening the door that led into the street, and looking round observed a very old looking boy in a leathern jerkin and woollen cap, such as were worn by the common people, advancing into the office, desperately intent upon picking a bone. He was somewhat short of stature, with a fair pair of bandy legs, and his face-none of the cleanest -was fat and freckled, having a noticeable huge mouth, then upon the stretch-a pug nose, and eyes squinting abominably. Without saying a word, he marched towards a corner of the room, and sat himself down on the floor, picking his bone-the which employment he varied by giving an occasional bite-which made a mark that placed beyond dispute his mouth's capacity-in a thick hunk of bread he drew from under his jerkin.

Master Francis, who had regarded his visitor with considerable curiosity since his entrance, at last, seeing him with the utmost effrontery munching away without seeming to care for anything else, asked him his business.

"Be you called Master Francis?" enquired the boy, without removing his eyes from the bone.

"That is my name, certainly," replied the youth.

"Sure on't?" asked the other, taking a monstrous piece out of the hunk of bread.

"Of course I am," said Master Francis.

"Have ye any witnesses ?" enquired the boy.

"If you don't choose to take my word for it, you must needs let it alone, and go about your business," observed the youth sharply, though too much amused to be much offended.

"Rather pepperish-do to play Hotspur," remarked his companion in an under tone, as he renewed his attack upon the bone. In a minute afterwards he enquired, somewhat authoritatively, "Who's house be this?"

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