He protested to the Queen that he had come upon this arduous and perilous service only, because he, considered her throne in danger, and that this was the only means of preserving it; that, in accepting the absolute government, he had been free from all ambitious motives, but deeply impressed with the idea that only by so doing could he conduct the enterprise entrusted to him to the desired consummation; and he declared with great fervour that no advancement to high office could compensate him for this enforced absence from her.  To be sent back even in disgrace would still be a boon to him, for he should cease to be an exile from her sight.  He knew that his enemies had been busy in defaming him, while he had been no longer there to defend himself, but his conscience acquitted him of any thought which was not for her happiness and glory.  “Yet grievous it is to me,” said he in, a tone of tender reproach, “that having left all—­yea, all that may be imagined—­for you, you have left me for very little, even to the uttermost of all hard fortune.  For what have I, unhappy man, to do here either with cause or country but for you?”

He stated boldly that his services had not been ineffective, that the enemy had never been in worse plight than now, that he had lost at least five thousand men in divers overthrows, and that, on the other hand, the people and towns of the Seven Provinces had been safely preserved.  “Since my arrival,” he said, “God hath blessed the action which you have taken in hand, and committed to the charge of me your poor unhappy servant.  I have good cause to say somewhat for myself, for that I think I have as few friends to speak for me as any man.”

Nevertheless—­as he warmly protested—­his only wish was to return; for the country in which he had lost her favour, which was more precious than life, had become odious to him.

The most lowly office in her presence was more to be coveted than the possession of unlimited power away from her.  It was by these tender and soft insinuations, as the Earl knew full well, that he was sure to obtain what he really coveted—­her sanction for retaining the absolute government in the Provinces.  And most artfully did he strike the key.

“Most dear and gracious Lady,” he cried, “my care and service here do breed me nothing but grief and unhappiness.  I have never had your Majesty’s good favour since I came into this charge—­a matter that from my first beholding your eyes hath been most dear unto me above all earthly treasures.  Never shall I love that place or like that soil which shall cause the lack of it.  Most gracious Lady, consider my long, true, and faithful heart toward you.  Let not this unfortunate place here bereave me of that which, above all the world, I esteem there, which is your favodr and your presence.  I see my service is not acceptable, but rather more and more disliketh you.  Here I can do your Majesty no service; there I can do you some, at the least