But the passions seemed not likely to blow over so soon as was desirable.  Leicester’s brother the Earl of Warwick took a most gloomy view of the whole transaction, and hoarser than the raven’s was his boding tone.

“Well, our mistress’s extreme rage doth increase rather than diminish,” he wrote, “and she giveth out great threatening words against you.  Therefore make the best assurance you can for yourself, and trust not her oath, for that her malice is great and unquenchable in the wisest of their opinions here, and as for other friendships, as far as I can learn, it is as doubtful as the other.  Wherefore, my good brother, repose your whole trust in God, and He will defend you in despite of all your enemies.  And let this be a great comfort to you, and so it is likewise to myself and all your assured friends, and that is, that you were never so honoured and loved in your life amongst all good people as you are at this day, only for dealing so nobly and wisely in this action as you have done; so that, whatsoever cometh of it, you have done your part.  I praise God from my heart for it.  Once again, have great care of yourself, I mean for your safety, and if she will needs revoke you, to the overthrowing of the cause, if I were as you, if I could not be assured there, I would go to the farthest part of Christendom rather than ever come into England again.  Take heed whom you trust, for that you have some false boys about you.”

And the false boys were busy enough, and seemed likely to triumph in the result of their schemes.  For a glance into the secret correspondence of Mary of Scotland has already revealed the Earl to us constantly surrounded by men in masks.  Many of those nearest his person, and of highest credit out of England, were his deadly foes, sworn to compass his dishonour, his confusion, and eventually his death, and in correspondence with his most powerful adversaries at home and abroad.  Certainly his path was slippery and perilous along those icy summits of power, and he had need to look well to his footsteps.

Before Heneage had arrived in the Netherlands, Sir Thomas Shirley, despatched by Leicester to England with a commission to procure supplies for the famishing soldiers, and, if possible, to mitigate the Queen’s wrath, had, been admitted more than once to her Majesty’s presence.  He had fought the Earl’s battle as manfully as Davison had done, and, like that envoy, had received nothing in exchange for his plausible arguments but bitter words and big oaths.  Eight days after his arrival he was introduced by Hatton into the privy chamber, and at the moment of his entrance was received with a volley of execrations.

“I did expressly and peremptorily forbid his acceptance of the absolute government, in the hearing of divers of my council,” said the Queen.