from the English civilian.  “I find no great stuff in my little colleague,” he said, “nothing that I looked for.  It is a pity you have no more of his profession, able men to serve.  This man hath good will, and a pretty scholar’s wit; but he is too little for these big fellows, as heavy as her Majesty thinks them to be.  I would she had but one or two, such as the worst of half a score be here.”  The other English statecounsellor seemed more promising.  “I have one here,” said the Earl, “in whom I take no small comfort; that is little Hal Killigrew.  I assure you, my lord, he is a notable servant, and more in him than ever I heretofore thought of him, though I always knew him to be an honest man and an able.”

But of all the men that stood by Leicester’s side, the most faithful, devoted, sagacious, experienced, and sincere of his counsellors, English or Flemish, was envoy Davison.  It is important to note exactly the opinion that had been formed of him by those most competent to judge, before events in which he was called on to play a prominent and responsible though secondary part, had placed him in a somewhat false position.

“Mr. Davison,” wrote Sidney, “is here very careful in her Majesty’s causes, and in your Lordship’s.  He takes great pains and goes to great charges for it.”  The Earl himself was always vehement in his praise.  “Mr. Davison,” said he at another time, “has dealt most painfully and chargeably in her Majesty’s service here, and you shall find him as sufficiently able to deliver the whole state of this country as any man that ever was in it, acquainted with all sorts here that are men of dealing.  Surely, my Lord, you shall do a good deed that he may be remembered with her Majesty’s gracious consideration, for his being here has been very chargeable, having kept a very good countenance, and a very good table, all his abode here, and of such credit with all the chief sort, as I know no stranger in any place hath the like.  As I am a suitor to you to be his good friend to her Majesty, so I must heartily pray you, good my Lord, to procure his coming hither shortly to me again, for I know not almost how to do without him.  I confess it is a wrong to the gentleman, and I protest before God, if it were for mine own particular respect, I would not require it for L5000.  But your Lordship doth little think how greatly I have to do, as also how needful for her Majesty’s service his being here will, be.  Wherefore, good my Lord, if it may not offend her Majesty, be a mean for this my request, for her own service’ sake wholly.”

Such were the personages who surrounded the Earl on his arrival in the Netherlands, and such their sentiments respecting the position that it was desirable for him to assume.  But there was one very important fact.  He had studiously concealed from Davison that the Queen had peremptorily and distinctly forbidden his accepting the office of governor-general.  It seemed reasonable, if he came thither at all, that he should come in that elevated capacity.  The Staten wished it.  The Earl ardently longed for it.  The ambassador, who knew more of Netherland politics and Netherland humours than any man did, approved of it.  The interests of both England and Holland seemed to require it.  No one but Leicester knew that her Majesty had forbidden it.