“I stand now in somewhat better terms than I did,” said he; “I was not in case till of late to deal roundly with them as I have now done.  I have established a chamber of finances, against some of their wills, whereby I doubt not to procure great benefit to increase our ability for payments hereafter.  The people I find still best devoted to her Majesty, though of late many lewd practices have been used to withdraw their good wills.  But it will not be; they still pray God that her Majesty may be their sovereign.  She should then see what a contribution they will all bring forth.  But to the States they will never return, which will breed some great mischief, there is such mislike of the States universally.  I would your Lordship had seen the case I had lived in among them these four months, especially after her Majesty’s mislike was found.  You would then marvel to see how I have waded, as I have done, through no small obstacles, without help, counsel, or assistance.”

Thus the part which he felt at last called upon to enact was that of an aristocratic demagogue, in perpetual conflict with the burgher-representative body.

It is now necessary to lift a corner of the curtain, by which some international—­or rather interpalatial—­intrigues were concealed, as much as possible, even from the piercing eyes of Walsingham.  The Secretary was, however, quite aware—­despite the pains taken to deceive him—­of the nature of the plots and of the somewhat ignoble character of the actors concerned in them.

ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: 

A hard bargain when both parties are losers
Condemned first and inquired upon after
Disordered, and unknit state needs no shaking, but propping
Upper and lower millstones of royal wrath and loyal subserviency
Uttering of my choler doth little ease my grief or help my case

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