He learned to think that she must be dealt with by the same methods which she herself employed.

The effect was not produced in a moment; it was the result of a courtiership of sixteen years.

But it ended in corrupting a noble nature.

Essex came to believe that she who cowed others must be frightened herself; that the stinging injustice which led a proud man to expect, only to see how he would behave when refused, deserved to be brought to reason by a counter-buffet as rough as her own insolent caprice.

He drifted into discontent, into disaffection, into neglect of duty, into questionable schemings for the future of a reign that must shortly end, into criminal methods of guarding himself, of humbling his rivals and regaining influence.