cup of wine, and seemed to be in some impatience. He beat the table with his knuckles-coughed a little-made two or three slight hems as if he were about to speak, and ever and anon glanced frowningly at his companion. Master Francis wished that Sir Walter would return. Still never a word was spoke by either. Presently the colonel rose, stalked haughtily from the table, and just as he passed the other, he put on his face the scornfullest look he had yet used, and left the cabin muttering with a most contemptuous expression the words, Paltry secretary!"

66

CHAPTER XI.

It is a work of charity, God knows,
The reconcilement of two mortal foes.

MIDDLETON.

Hold my heart-strings, whilst contempt

Of injuries, in scorn may bid defiance
To this base man's foul language.

FORD.

Peace, damn'd enchantress-peace! I should look on you
With eyes made red with fury; and my hand,

That shakes with rage, should much outstrip my tongue,
And seal my vengeance.

MASSINGER.

"I LIKE it not, Master Bacon," observed my Lord Essex, as he flung himself into a chair in a spacious and well appointed chamber in his own stately mansion, with a countenance that shewed he was chafed at something. "I like it not, I promise you. Here the first thing I find on my return is this fellow Cecil appointed secretary of state; and on my telling of the queen how little it pleased me, seeing I had wished Sir Thomas Bodley should have the place, he being much the properer man, she rated me soundly for questioning of her appointments, and said haughtily she would have for her servants such as she liked."

"I do not see how your interest can suffer by this," replied Master Francis Bacon, looking up from a huge volume he had in his lap. "Sir Robert Cecil doubtless knoweth what be his best policy. The man who hath his fortune to make beginneth not by setting of himself against one whose fortune is established."

66

Nay, 'tis not for that I care," answered my lord disdainfully. "I heed not a rush any of these Cecils, busy as they make themselves; but I looked to have the place for my friend; and it vexeth me monstrously to find, after perilling myself so often as I have done-put myself to great charges, and borne with her humours-whilst I was fighting of her battles, the queen should put such a slight on me as to appoint this fellow, to the neglecting of Sir Thomas Bodley, whose fitness and worthiness I had earnestly spoke to her upon."

"I pray you make the best of it, my lord," said Master Bacon. "Though Sir Thomas hath not been made secretary, it was not from lack of zeal in you for his advancement: therefore have you nought to complain of yourself. And now that Sir Robert hath been appointed to that office, it must be to little purpose your seeming vexed in any way; for your vexation will in no way serve your friend, or disparage his rival. All that can be said of it amounteth to this-that the appointment is a disappointment."

"And a miss-appointment, or I'm hugely mistaken,” replied the other in some bitterness. "Then shall no blame be attached to you in the appointing," added his companion.

"But it be monstrous of the queen to have used me thus!" exclaimed my Lord Essex sharply, as he left off playing with the gold buttons upon his green velvet doublet, and threw himself back in his chair, looking more discontented than ever. "It seemeth that every fool must have influence with her now, whilst they who have perilled life and limb for her are to be slighted at every turn of her pestilent humour.”

"My lord," replied Master Bacon, gazing upon the other with exceeding seriousness. "It hath pleased you to take me to be your friend and counsellor-more from your infinite sweet nobleness of heart than from any merit of mine-therefore must you excuse any seeming over-boldness in me seek I the proper performing of the counsellor's part. It must be apparent on the very slightest reflection, that her majesty hath been a most bountiful mistress to you. Mayhap she hath some qualities of temper you approve not of; but where will you find any one human creature, more particularly a woman, still more a sovereign, that hath so happy a disposition nought could be taken away to better it? I know not of the queen's majesty's ill qualities of mine own knowledge, but I know of her

very many princely virtues; and have seen with how singular admirable a friendliness she hath been disposed towards you on divers occasions, to the making of you the chiefest in her court. That your marvellous great worth, excellent valour, and very perfect discretion, deserved no less of her, be true enough; but it speaketh famous things of her discrimination that she should have found out your truly noble excellences; and she deserveth the like praise in proving she knew how to appreciate them. Touching this appointment of Sir Robert Cecil, it must be known unto you, the queen's majesty must needs have a voice in the matter. She hath used it; her will is absolute, and all opposition fruitless. Perchance Sir Thomas Bodley was the properer man; and having recommended him as such, you should reconcile yourself to another being preferred in his stead, by remembering you have done your duty as a subject in stating to your sovereign who was the fittest person, and fulfilled all that your friend could have expected of you by lauding and bringing forward his qualifications, The thing is ended. Now you can neither serve your friend in the matter, nor yourself by making any stir in it; and if Sir Robert Cecil hath any ill will against you, or any of his family-I say not they have, for I should be loath to attribute bad feelings to any honourable person-they would like nothing so well as seeing you setting of your