CHAPTER VIII.
Soon after Queen Elizabeth had entered Greenwich Palace, on the occasion before described, she parted from her two favourites, Raleigh and Essex, and retired to her boudoir. In a short time, however, she again appeared in the private hall, and there looked for those personages among the assembled courtiers. Essex, observing her glance, and conjecturing its object, was by her side in a moment; but Raleigh was nowhere to be seen. Elizabeth looked displeased at his absence; and, as Essex came up, she inquired if he had seen him.
“Indeed, no, your Highness,” replied Essex. “But he will be here anon, no doubt.”
“I’faith, I fear, not,” said a voice behind him, loud enough to be heard by the Queen.
The Queen turned round; and her eye, now marked with displeasure, fell on the face of Sir Robert Cecil.
“An’ it prove so, and thou art a friend of his, thou mayst fear in right earnest, Sir Knight,” she said. “By God! an’ he be not back shortly, it shall be the worse for him.”
“Consider me not his friend, then, my gracious liege, an’ he forfeit thy good will,” replied Cecil. “Still,” he added, in a hesitating tone, which seemed to belie what he said, “I scarce can think he intends your Highness a wilful disrespect.”
The Queen coloured.
“I will give my word,” said the Earl of Essex, with much warmth, “he hath no such thought.”