If anything there be that W.shall desire answer of be such as you would have but me to know, write it to myself.

You know I can keep both others' counsel and mine own.

Mistrust not that anything you would have kept shall be disclosed by me, for although this bearer ask many things, yet you may answer him such as you shall think meet, and write to me the rest." Thus, not even her favourite Leicester's misrepresentations could make the Queen forget her ancient friendship for "her own crow;" but meantime the relations between that "bunch of brethren," black Norris and the rest, and Pelham, Hollock, and other high officers in Leicester's army, had grown worse than ever.
One August evening there was a supper-party at Count Hollock's quarters in Gertruydenberg.

A military foray into Brabant had just taken place, under the lead of the Count, and of the Lord Marshal, Sir William Pelham.
The marshal had requested Lord Willoughby, with his troop of horse and five hundred foot, to join in the enterprise, but, as usual, particular pains had been taken that Sir John Norris should know nothing of the affair.

Pelham and Hollock--who was "greatly in love with Mr.
Pelham"-- had invited several other gentlemen high in Leicester's confidence to accompany the expedition; and, among the rest, Sir Philip Sidney, telling him that he "should see some good service." Sidney came accordingly, in great haste, from Flushing, bringing along with him Edward Norris--that hot-headed young man, who, according to Leicester, "greatly governed his elder brother"-- but they arrived at Gertruydenberg too late.