rub your horse’s heels—­a service which shall be much more welcome to me than this, with all that these men may give me.  I do, humbly and from my heart, prostrate at your feet, beg this grace at your sacred hands, that you will be pleased to let me return to my home-service, with your favour, let the revocation be used in what sort shall please and like you.  But if ever spark of favour was in your Majesty toward your old servant, let me obtain this my humble suit; protesting before the Majesty of all Majesties, that there was no cause under Heaven but his and yours, even for your own special and particular cause, I say, could have made me take this absent journey from you in hand.  If your Majesty shall refuse me this, I shall think all grace clean gone from me, and I know:  my days will not be long.”

She must melt at this, thought ‘sweet Robin’ to himself; and meantime accompanied by Heneage; he proceeded with the conferences in the state-council-chamber touching the modification of the title and the confirmation of his authority.  This, so far as Walsingham could divine, and Burghley fathom, was the present intention of the Queen.  He averred that he had ever sought most painfully to conform his conduct to her instructions as fast as they were received, and that he should continue so to do.  On the whole it was decided by the conference to let matters stand as, they were for a little longer, and until:  after Heneage should have time once more to go and come.  “The same manner of proceeding that was is now,” said Leicester, “Your pleasure is declared to the council here as you have willed it.  How it will fall out again in your Majesty’s construction, the Lord knoweth.”

Leicester might be forgiven for referring to higher powers, for any possible interpretation of her Majesty’s changing humour; but meantime; while Sir.  Thomas was getting ready, for his expedition to England, the Earl’s heart was somewhat gladdened by more gracious messages from the Queen.  The alternation of emotions would however prove too much for him, he feared, and he was reluctant to open his heart to so unwonted a tenant as joy.

“But that my fear is such, most dear and gracious Lady,” he said, “as my unfortunate destiny will hardly permit; whilst I remain here; any good-acceptation of so simple a service as, mine, I should, greatly rejoice and comfort myself with the hope of your Majesty’s most prayed-for favour.  But of late, being by your own sacred hand lifted even up into Heaven with joy of your favour, I was bye and bye without any new desert or offence at all, cast down and down:  again into the depth of all grief.  God doth know, my dear and dread Sovereign, that after I first received your resolute pleasure by Sir Thomas Heneage, I made neither stop nor stay nor any excuse to be rid of this place, and to satisfy your command. . . .  So much I mislike this place and fortune of mine; as I desire nothing in the world so much, as to be delivered,