"To be plain with you, I fear she groweth weary of the charge, and will hardly be brought to deal thoroughly in the action." He was also more explicit than he might have been--had he been better informed as to the disposition of the chief personages of the court, concerning whose temper the absent Earl was naturally anxious.

Hatton was most in favour at the moment, and it was through Hatton that the communications upon Netherland matters passed; "for," said Shirley, "she will hardly endure Mr.Secretary (Walsingham) to speak unto her therein." "And truly, my Lord," he continued, "as Mr.Secretary is a noble, good, and true friend unto you, so doth Mr.Vice-Chamberlain show himself an honourable, true, and faithful gentleman, and doth carefully and most like a good friend for your Lordship." And thus very succinctly and graphically had the envoy painted the situation to his principal.

"Your Lordship now sees things just as they stand," he moralized.

"Your Lordship is exceeding wise.

You know the Queen and her nature best of any man.