The Cheltonian.

APRIL 1867.

Leicester in the Low-Countries.

AN HISTORICAL SKETCH.

H

ITHERTO we have only cast a cursory glance on the Earl of Leicester, at his departure from Harwich and his arrival in the Low-Countries; we will now occupy ourselves a little more with him, and we know where to find him. He is in a small room leading to the great hall where his courtiers are assembled, with the Bible and Prayer-book open before him on the table. Dressed in a large morning-gown of black satin, lined with fur, his black velvet cap, without any ornament, drawn over the high forehead in order to protect it against the damp cold of a climate to which he was unaccustomed, bent over his book, he appeared quite another person than when sitting on his charger, or addressing the magistrates of the different towns through which he had passed. It was now unnecessary for him to please, for he was alone.

He had just sent the Master of his Household to reprimand the young noblemen for the noise they were making in the great hall, when Ferney communicated to him the arrival of Sir Roger Douglas.

Thereupon Leicester pushed Bible and Prayer-book aside, as if he were glad to have found an excuse for finishing his meditations, and said:

"Although the moment is badly chosen, yet it is necessary that I should see him."

A few moments afterwards, Douglas entered, but instead of approaching he remained at the entrance of the room, and pointing with his finger to the books on the table, said,

"My Lord, do I hinder you in your devotions

No. 12.-Vol. II.

"No, I have finished them," answered Leicester blushing slightly. "Have you anything?" and he put out his hand as if expecting to receive something.

"No, my Lord," replied Douglas, bowing, "there was no letter.” Leicester shook his head and said passionately,

"That is not well! This grieves me! I cannot fathom it!" Douglas answered only by shrugging his shoulders.

"I thank you, Roger," replied Leicester, after a few minutes silence, holding out his hand, which the young man kissed whilst saying: "Believe me, my Lord, I share in your grief."

"It is not only the trifling disappointment that pains me, but I know my people yonder, and it must be no small matter which hinders her from keeping her word. Did you see the man yourself at Hellevoet ?"

"Yes! And he sent me to the Brill, where a small vessel had arrived, bringing letters for Sir Thomas Cecil; I thought, perhaps, they had made use of the opportunity."

"And did you enquire about it?"

"Not knowing the language, your Lordship may easily conceive that it was extremely difficult for me to get information in a foreign place, where I did not know any one. Still I went to Sir Thomas, who was as courteous as he could be to a countryman he did not know."

And

. ?" asked the Earl impatiently.

"He conducted me to the master of the vessel, and I heard then that there were no letters for me, but some for Lord Essex."

The Earl sighed audibly; "There is something brewing," he whispered, and remained for a while in thought. At last he said, as if speaking to himself, "Essex must write to his mother. I will know what is the matter there."

"I wonder that your Lordship did not adopt this simple plan in the beginning."

"No, Roger! In this simple way our correspondence would, perhaps, fall into the hands of the Queen. To trust Essex? No! by Heavens! that were risking too much!"

"How so, my Lord! my Lady Leicester is his mother."

"I am not quite sure whether his love for his mother is greater than his hatred for his father; and that boy is so ambitious . . ! The Queen has cast a few glances on him, said a few words to him. I must mistrust him."

"Still, my Lord, all subterfuges are wicked, and experience has shown that they are not always the safest. Lord Essex will not sin so heavily against the fifth commandment."

"I do not know how far Lord Essex believes himself bound to keep the ten commandments," said Leicester, smiling over the pious simplemindedness of Douglas; "but I know that this morning he was not polite enough to respect the repose I ordered to be kept. But here, above all, I am his master, and will show it him, if needs be; and, therefore, I must not deliver myself imprudently into his hands. And now, away with those griefs from the other side of the Channel, and with those which are here with me. In the Low-Countries I have to attend to more important interests. You mentioned just now the difficulties you experienced whilst travelling in this country because you did know the language. Why did you not take some Dutchman with you who speaks English, and who has suffered for his religion?"

"Because I could not find anyone safe enough."

"Folly, you mistrust all persons."

"I am not so uncharitable a Christian, my Lord."

"Once for all, understand me, Douglas; I want in this foreign country, persons who have no other care than to please and obey me, and who are bound to me for their own interest's sake. Such an one must be found in a poor fortune-hunting Fleming; besides, it looks well to protect a man who has suffered for religion's sake; this is my duty as a Christian, and as the head of the community."

"Your Lordship is right," said Douglas, more coolly. Leicester replied impatiently, "You are unbearable, Douglas; you agree with me in a manner which sounds like contradiction."

"It does not become me to contradict your Lordship in any other way, and still there is a voice within me which tells me I may not consent."

"I know it," replied Leicester severely; "I know you are scrupulously strict; but, speaking of this, Roger, I wish you were otherwise."

"I will try to become what my Lord wishes me to be," answered Douglas.

"I hope you may succeed in your endeavours without much difficulty!" said the Earl kindly. "You must be nearly eighteen years old?"

"Yesterday was my birthday," replied Douglas sighing.

"And I have known old men of eighty years who took more pleasure in life than you do!" said Leicester, gently shaking his head, after he had looked for some time at him. He then beckoned him to sit down upon a folding-stool next to his chair, and continued. "Listen; hitherto I have had no time to occupy myself with you, here in Holland, and yet I have much to say to you. In

good truth, you cannot remain as you are now. I should like to see you younger in heart, more amiable towards others, less severe, less serious, more like one of your age."

"I thought not to displease your Lordship by imitating your example."

"That which becomes my years, and my rank in life, may be very unbecoming for you, sir," interrupted Leicester proudly. "I approve of strictness in the fulfilment of all duties, especially religious duties, and I think I set you an example," he continued, looking at his Prayer-book and his Bible. "I, who came here in this foreign country to protect and build up the true Christian religion, to root out Popery and all pernicious heresies, and who intend to use all power given me by God, or by the Queen, to fulfil these high and necessary duties. It becomes me to express the piety of the heart by a calm face, a serene behaviour and sober words, in order that this good and pious people may be edified by the example of their head. But you, Roger, who are still a young man, holding neither rank nor office which requires a serious appearance, other cares ought to occupy you; you have an easier duty to perform. Young persons of your years and your birth ought to practise the art of being amiable, in order to advance in the world; they have no need to live and to muse like hermits. I therefore desire that henceforth you will seek the company of the young noblemen who followed me here; this is one of the reasons I took you with me. How stand you with Lord Robert?"

"As fire and water, my Lord!"

"How sir! and that when I brought you over with me under condition you would not quarrel with him!"

"Your Excellency does not understand me, or my words are not clear enough. Lord Robert throws fire on me, but I am like the liquid which extinguishes it."

"Therein you act rightly, and my Lady Leicester will reward it you by great love."

"I do not expect reward from my Lady Leicester or any other person."

“What is the meaning of this,, sir?" said Leicester looking at him with eyes sparkling with anger, and he added, in a severe tone, when after some time he saw that the young man did not answer him, "leave me, Master Douglas! Begone, and that quickly! you excite my anger! I do not wish to see you again for many days." "No, this is more than I am able to bear!" said the young man, holding his hand before his eyes, and throwing himself at the feet of Leicester, "Pardon me, pardon me! I am mad!"

"No; you are ungrateful," replied the Earl, in a more gentle voice, for his severity appeared subdued when the head of the young man touched his knees. "You are ungrateful, for who is able to enjoy life better than you? What young nobleman can, like you, satisfy everyone of his desires and fancies? Name me the eldest son of any nobleman in England who has as much liberty as you have. Even if you were called Roger Dudley, you could not wish for more. My legitimate son, Lord Denbigh, is alive, and I could not make you Earl of Leicester."

"Alas! if you had only made my mother Countess of Leicester !"

Leicester rose from his chair highly excited, and turned pale: "You are mad, boy!" he exclaimed, "I could as soon have made myself king of England."

"My Lord! My Lord!" said the young man, now turning pale in his turn; "these words are terrible and inexplicable!"

"It is the echo of your daring wish, Roger! and I will never give you further explanations," replied Leicester, less passionately, but more harshly, "Let the words I now tell you, always be in your mind: every remembrance of your mother removes you from my affection; and another word like the one you just expressed, banishes you from my presence for ever. Continue, as you began, to honour and serve the Countess of Leicester as a mother: she will be one to you, and you will never know another."

"Never!" exclaimed the young man.

"Never!" repeated Leicester, his swarthy face assuming a ruddier colour, "As I am the only relative you will ever know, my sole desire is to cherish you. I twice saved your life; I delivered you out of the hands of those who had wicked intentions towards you. Therefore you have become dearer to me; I will never cease to protect you as long as you deserve it. You know what you have for the present; and do not fear the future; for what I cannot leave you in rank and honour I will leave you in gold. If I cannot plant my coronet on your head, everything I possess, and of which I can dispose freely, shall be yours."

Douglas sighed and cast his eyes to heaven, as if to take it to witness how little consolation he derived from these promises.

"And you may foster the hope," continued the Earl, "that I will yet do more for you. If my plans here in Holland succeed, I shall become more for Elizabeth than I ever was; I shall be free and she will need me. These advantages were never before within my reach, but here I will gain them. Then I shall speak to her of you; do you understand me now?"