In the meantime St.Lawrence cunningly worked upon the fears of the earl, giving him to understand that his ruin was determined on, and that he had better consult his safety, by leaving the country.

It appears that he received intimations to the same effect from his correspondents in Spain and in London.

At all events, he lost heart, became silent, moody, and low-spirited, suspecting foul play on the part of the king, who was very urgent that he should be brought over to London, in which case Tyrone was led to believe that he would certainly be sent to the Tower, and probably lose his head.

With such apprehensions, he came to the conclusion that it was idle to struggle any longer against the stream.
He had for some weeks been engaged quietly making preparations for his flight.

He had given directions to his steward to collect in advance one half of his Michaelmas rents, leading the lord deputy to think that he did so either to provide funds for his journey to London, or to defray the expenses of his son's projected marriage with the daughter of Lord Argyle.