What was there I could do?
I had written by the Due Return to Sir Edwyn, and to my cousin, the Earl of Northumberland.

The King hated Sir Edwyn as he hated tobacco and witchcraft.

"Choose the devil, but not Sir Edwyn Sandys!" had been his passionate words to the Company the year before.

A certain fifth of November had despoiled my Lord of Northumberland of wealth, fame, and influence.

Small hope there was in those two.