He knew himself her favourite, beyond all chance or change, and was sure, so long as either lived, to thrust his enemies, by her aid, into outer darkness.

Woe to Buckhurst, and Norris, and Wilkes, and all others who consorted with his enemies.

Let them flee from the wrath to come! And truly they were only too anxious to do so, for they knew that Leicester's hatred was poisonous.

"He is not so facile to forget as ready to revenge," said poor Wilkes, with neat alliteration.
"My very heavy and mighty adversary will disgrace and undo me.
"It sufficeth," continued Leicester, "that her Majesty both find my dealings well enough, and so, I trust will graciously use me.

As for the reconciliations and love-days you have made there, truly I have liked well of it; for you did sow me your disposition therein before, and I allowed of it, and I had received letters both from Count Maurice and Hohenlo of their humility and kindness, but now in your last letters you say they have uttered the cause of their mislike towards me, which you forbear to write of, looking so speedily for my return." But the Earl knew well enough what the secret was, for had it not been specially confided by the judicious Bartholomew to Atye, who had incontinently told his master?
"This pretense that I should kill Hohenlo," cried Leicester, "is a matter properly foisted in to bring me to choler.