Whether Elizabeth loved Leicester as a brother, or better than a brother, may be a historical question, but it is no question at all that she loved money better than she did Leicester.

Unhappy the man, whether foe or favourite, who had pecuniary transactions with her Highness.
"I am sorry," said the Earl, "that her Majesty hath so hard a conceit of me, that I should go about to cozen her, as though I had got a fee simple from her, and had it not before, or that I had not had her full release for payment of the money I borrowed.

I pray God, any that did put such scruple in her, have not deceived her more than I have done.

I thank God I have a clear conscience for deceiving her, and for money matters.

I think I may justly say I have been the only cause of more gain to her coffers than all her chequer-men have been.