Next day, Bodman was sent for to Greenwich, where her Majesty was, as usual, residing.  A secret pavilion was indicated to him, where he was to stay until sunset.  When that time arrived, Lord Cobham’s secretary came with great mystery, and begged the emissary to follow him, but at a considerable distance, towards the apartments of Lord Burghley in the palace.  Arriving there, they found the Lord Treasurer accompanied by Cobham and Croft.  Burghley instantly opened the interview by a defence of the Queen’s policy in sending troops to the Netherlands, and in espousing their cause, and then the conversation proceeded to the immediate matter in hand.

Bodman (after listening respectfully to the Lord-Treasurer’s observations).—­“His Highness has, however, been extremely surprised that my Lord Leicester should take an oath, as governor-general of the King’s Provinces.  He is shocked likewise by the great demonstrations of hostility on the part of her Majesty.”

Burghley.—­“The oath was indispensable.  The Queen was obliged to tolerate the step on account of the great urgency of the States to have a head.  But her Majesty has commanded us to meet you on this occasion, in order to hear what you have to communicate on the part of the Prince of Parma.”

Bodman (after a profusion of complimentary phrases).—­“I have no commission to say anything.  I am only instructed to listen to anything that may be said to me, and that her Majesty may be pleased to command.”

Burghley.—­“’Tis very discreet to begin thus.  But time is pressing, and it is necessary to be brief.  We beg you therefore to communicate, without further preface, that which you have been charged to say.”

Bodman.—­“I can only repeat to your Lordship, that I have been charged to say nothing.”

After this Barmecide feast of diplomacy, to partake of which it seemed hardly necessary that the guests should have previously attired themselves in such garments of mystery, the parties separated for the night.

In spite of their care, it would seem that the Argus-eyed Walsingham had been able to see after sunset; for, the next evening—­after Bodman had been introduced with the same precautions to the same company, in the same place—­Burghley, before a word had been spoken, sent for Sir Francis.

Bodman was profoundly astonished, for he had been expressly informed that Walsingham was to know nothing of the transaction.  The Secretary of State could not so easily be outwitted, however, and he was soon seated at the table, surveying the scene, with his grave melancholy eyes, which had looked quite through the whole paltry intrigue.

Burghley.—­“Her Majesty has commanded us to assemble together, in order that, in my presence, it may be made clear that she did not commence this negotiation.  Let Grafigni be summoned.”

Grafigni immediately made his appearance.

Burghley.—­“You will please to explain how you came to enter into this business.”