"Even if this is Lady Sunderland's hand," he said, "that is no affair of mine.

Your Majesty knows my domestic misfortunes.
The footing on which my wife and Mr.Sidney are is but too public.

Who can believe that I would make a confidant of the man who has injured my honour in the tenderest point, of the man whom, of all others, I ought most to hate ?" [463] This defence was thought satisfactory; and secret intelligence was still transmitted from the wittol to the adulteress, from the adulteress to the gallant, and from the gallant to the enemies of James.
It is highly probable that the first decisive assurances of Sunderland's support were conveyed orally by Sidney to William about the middle of August.

It is certain that, from that time till the expedition was ready to sail, a most significant correspondence was kept up between the Countess and her lover.

A few of her letters, partly written in cipher, are still extant.