“Our sharp words continue,” said the Secretary, “which doth greatly disquiet her Majesty, and discomfort her poor servants that attend her.  The Lord-Treasurer remaineth still in disgrace, and, behind my back, her Majesty giveth out very hard speeches of myself, which I the rather credit, for that I find, in dealing with her, I am nothing gracious; and if her Majesty could be otherwise served, I know I should not be used . . . . .  Her Majesty doth wholly lend herself to devise some further means to disgrace her poor council, in respect whereof she neglecteth all other causes . . . . .  The discord between her Majesty and her council hindereth the necessary consultations that were to be destined for the preventing of the manifold perils that hang over this realm . . . . . .  Sir Christopher Hatton hath dealt very plainly and dutifully with her, which hath been accepted in so evil part as he is resolved to retire for a time.  I assure you I find every man weary of attendance here . . . . . .  I would to God I could find as good resolution in her Majesty to proceed in a princely course in relieving the United Provinces, as I find an honorable disposition in your Lordship to employ yourself in their service.”

The Lord-Treasurer was much puzzled, very wretched, but philosophically resigned.  “Why her Majesty useth me thus strangely, I know not,” he observed.  “To some she saith that she meant not I should have gone from the court; to some she saith, she may not admit me, nor give me contentment.  I shall dispose myself to enjoy God’s favour, and shall do nothing to deserve her disfavour.  And if I be suffered to be a stranger to her affairs, I shall have a quieter life.”

Leicester, after the first burst of his anger was over, was willing to return to the Provinces.  He protested that he had a greater affection for the Netherland people—­not for the governing powers—­even than he felt for the people of England.—­“There is nothing sticks in my stomach,” he said, “but the good-will of that poor afflicted people, for whom, I take God to record, I could be content to lose any limb I have to do them good.”  But he was crippled with debt, and the Queen resolutely refused to lend him a few thousand pounds, without which he could not stir.  Walsingham in vain did battle with her parsimony, representing how urgently and vividly the necessity of his return had been depicted by all her ministers in both countries, and how much it imported to her own safety and service.  But she was obdurate.  “She would rather,” he said bitterly to Leicester, “hazard the increase of confusion there—­which may put the whole country in peril—­than supply your want.  The like course she holdeth in the rest of her causes, which maketh me to wish myself from the helm.”  At last she agreed to advance him ten thousand pounds, but on so severe conditions, that the Earl declared himself heart-broken again, and protested that he would neither accept the money, nor ever set foot in the Netherlands.  “Let Norris stay there,” he said in a fury; “he will do admirably, no doubt.  Only let it not be supposed that I can be there also.  Not for one hundred thousand pounds would I be in that country with him.”