Wilkes stood aghast as he deciphered the letter.

Buckhurst felt the impossibility of obeying the royal will.

Both knew the cause, and both foresaw the consequences of the proposed step.

Wilkes had heard some rumours of intrigues between Parma's agents at Deventer and Hohenlo, and had confided them to Walsingham, hoping that the Secretary would keep the matter in his own breast, at least till further advice.

He was appalled at the sudden action proposed on a mere rumour, which both Buckhurst and himself had begun to consider an idle one.