“Her Majesty complained that they were not what she had asked, and were of no use to her; that she must have her books and original papers concerning her estate and private affairs, the which neither affected the Queen nor England, and were of no interest to anyone but herself. She wished no writings to be in the hands of Nau. She desired to know what she had to dispose of in her will, without which she could do nothing, and she wanted from Nau a memorandum of the money he owed her in his own private name. This money he had received from her and her servants, including Pasquier, for the services he had given her in furnishing stuffs and distributing them, which stuffs he had paid with her money when he was in London; while he also received it from those to whom he had delivered the said stuffs (paid twice).
“Paulet took a memorandum of this, to write about it and about what Her Majesty wanted to know more particularly. He said he would do it when he could—he understood it well.
“Next day, 8th January, Her Majesty desired him to come and speak to her, as he had made her understand, by his wife and Melville, because of his malady he was unable. She knew he had been out the day before, when she hoped to have seen him, having also been able to walk out. Paulet answered that he would come, when his health would allow it—that he had a cold, and could not stir. We were charged to tell him that Her Majesty, not being able to communicate with him, and having no answer to her letter written nearly three weeks ago, thought of writing again. Then when he was getting better, she would prepare her letters, so that when he was cured he might find them all ready. He, a little angry, said she could write and prepare what she wished.
“Saturday, 14th January.—Her Majesty sent to Paulet to tell him that, according to what she had sent on Sunday last, she was surprised that she had received no answer, nor to that which she had begged him to write. She wished to be kept no longer in suspense, so as to arrange the matters of her last will and prepare herself for everything. Her letter was ready, and she desired him to come and speak to her, and see the letter, and seal it, as he had done the last. He being in bed, with one of his arms bandaged, said it was not possible for him to move or walk at present. He was very sorry, but as soon as he was able he would go to her. She gave orders to tell him if he could not come, to send Drury or his wife, or both, in order to receive it and seal it. Paulet said he would communicate with Drury, and next day we would have the answer. Which day, 15th January, after dinner, Paulet sent to tell us he had spoken with Drury, and that he could send nothing to the court without being authorised to do so. It was not for him to hinder her writing, but he was a servant, and not such an infant as to send anything without leave; but he would write about it, and the distance not being great, she would soon receive an answer. Her Majesty sent to tell him she thought it very strange he should act in this fashion, seeing she had had permission to write; that they even found it strange she had not done it, and that the Queen of England expected it, and one single letter from her might have kept them back, and if she had received it they might not have come here—that he himself, after the return of Lord Buckhurst, had offered to do this, and had even sent her letter. Paulet answered that he had a commission, and that he had executed it, but she might be content, she would soon have an answer. Upon this he was told that Her Majesty wished to know if he had instructions prohibiting him from sending her letters. Paulet said he could not answer particular questions: he promised to send Elizabeth Curle's letter, in answer to that of her brother, which she had received some days before, provided he saw and read it first.
“Friday, 20th January 1587.—Melville spoke to Paulet about the diet and the ordinary pension, if to have a servant, also our wages, to which he received a courteous answer refusing a servant but hoping he might be able to send the wages. Upon which we founded our hopes that all was not at the last extremity.
“Saturday, 21st January.—Paulet sent to fetch Melville, Bourgoyne and Prean, upon which we wondered much what it could be for, and the latter not wishing to go because he had not suitable dress, remained behind until Melville and Bourgoyne spoke to him; when he refused, saying he could do nothing without Prean. We concluded that he sent for us in private suspecting that they wished to separate him from the Queen. Prean, dressed as he was, borrowed a cloak. All the three having come to Paulet, he addressed Bourgoyne, whom he requested wishing him to tell the Queen that Melville and Prean were to have no more communication with Her Majesty, and he (Paulet) could not tell her himself. Then Paulet said he had something to tell them that he knew would not be agreeable to Her Majesty nor to Melville, who was always known as a faithful servant to his mistress, but there was no help for it; that he must take it in good part, and know there were good reasons for it; that they must leave their mistress for the present, and they must appear no more before her; therefore they must retire to their rooms; that Prean, being lodged so near Her Majesty, they could not hinder him from going to her. It would be better for him to live in one of Melville's chambers; they were not to be made prisoners nor lose anything they had before, excepting in the presence of their mistress. They could walk in the court, dine in the office if they wished, communicate with the servants who came to them, but not to enter into the hall. Upon this Melville protested with regret, saying that all his consolation was to be near his mistress—would he permit him to see her and take leave of her? Paulet answered that he could not, and it was of no use; he said nothing to hinder him from thinking that he might return to her as before, but he must have patience for the present. Prean, protesting his regret, said the same. Bourgoyne, returning to Her Majesty, astonished her and the others very much; they imagined all kinds of things, but could not find a good reason.