If there had been jealousy in the Earl's heart when he saw his nephew rising so rapidly to a foremost place in the esteem of all men—a place which, with all his brilliant gifts, he secretly felt he never had filled—it was subdued now.
He did not grudge him the praise his splendid achievement awoke, and, in his despatch to the English Court, he gave the whole credit of the capture of Axel to his nephew.
The Earl always took care to have the room he inhabited, whether for a longer or a shorter time, luxuriously furnished.
If the word 'comfortable' does not apply to the appointments of those days, there was abundance of grandeur in fine tapestry hangings, in soft-cushioned seats, and in gold and silver plate on which the delicacies that were attainable were served.
Sir Philip and Lady Frances were the Earl's guests, with the young Earl of Essex and Mr Thomas Sidney. The elder brother, Robert, had been left in command at Flushing with the nine hundred trusty soldiers Sir Philip had left in the garrison there.
'What truth am I to attest?' Sir Philip asked, as he came up the room with his quick, elastic step.
His wife went forward to meet him, and, clinging to his arm, said,—
'Our good uncle was consoling me for those words in my father's letter.'
'And on what ground did I console you, Frances?' the Earl said. 'You give but half the truth; go on to say the rest.'
'Nay,' she said, hiding her face on Sir Philip's shoulder, as he put his arm tenderly round her. 'Nay, there is no need—'