The other was the announcement by the queen that she would soon do Sir George Vernon the honor of spending a fortnight under the roof of Haddon Hall.

Each event was of great importance to the King of the Peak.
He had concluded that Thomas, the man-servant, was not the Earl of Leicester in disguise, and when the Earl of Derby again came forward with his marriage project, Sir George fell back into his old hardness toward Dorothy, and she prepared her armament, offensive and defensive, for instant use if need should arise.

I again began my machinations, since I can call my double dealing by no other name.

I induced Dorothy to agree to meet the earl and his son James.

Without promising positively to marry Lord Stanley, she, at my suggestion, led her father to believe she was ready to yield to his wishes.