But he protested that he had himself, only erred through an excessive pliancy to the will of others.

"My yielding was my own fault," he admitted, "whatsoever his persuasions; but far from a contemptuous heart, or else God pluck out both heart and bowels with utter shame." So soon as Sir Thomas Heneage had presented himself, and revealed the full extent of the Queen's wrath, the Earl's disposition to cast the whole crime on the shoulders of Davison became quite undisguised.
"I thank you for your letters," wrote Leicester to Walsingham, "though you can send me no comfort.

Her Majesty doth deal hardly to believe so ill of me.

It is true I faulted, but she doth not consider what commodities she hath withal, and herself no way engaged for it, as Mr.
Davison might have better declared it, if it had pleased him.

And I must thank him only for my blame, and so he will confess to you, for, I protest before God, no necessity here could have made me leave her Majesty unacquainted with the cause before I would have accepted of it, but only his so earnest pressing me with his faithfull assured promise to discharge me, however her Majesty should take it.