I trust her Majesty will accept of his offer to be her servant during his life, being indeed a very noble soldier." The Earl was indeed inclined to take so cheerful view of matters as to believe that he should even effect a reform in the noble soldier's most unpleasant characteristic.

"Hollock is a wise gallant gentleman," he said, "and very well esteemed.

He hath only one fault, which is drinking; but good hope that he will amend it.

Some make me believe that I shall be able to do much with him, and I mean to do my best, for I see no man that knows all these countries, and the people of all sorts, like him, and this fault overthrows all." Accordingly, so long as Maurice continued under the tutelage of this uproarious cavalier--who, at a later day, was to become his brother-in-law-he was not likely to interfere with Leicester's authority.
The character of the young Count was developing slowly.

More than his father had ever done, he deserved the character of the taciturn.