A warrant for twenty-four thousand pounds had been signed by her at the end of the month of March, and was about to be sent, when Vavasour arrived; but it was not possible for him, although assisted by the eloquence of Walsingham and Burghley, to obtain an enlargement of the pittance.

"The storms are overblown," said Walsingham, "but I fear your Lordship shall receive very scarce measure from hence.

You will not believe how the sparing humour doth increase upon us." Nor were the storms so thoroughly overblown but that there were not daily indications of returning foul weather.

Accordingly--after a conference with Vavasour--Burghley, and Walsingham had an interview with the Queen, in which the Lord Treasurer used bold and strong language.

He protested to her that he was bound, both by his duty to himself and his oath as her councillor, to declare that the course she was holding to Lord Leicester was most dangerous to her own honour, interest and safety.