Part 39 (1/2)

”E. R.

”P. S. Let Wilkes see that he is acceptable to you. If anything there be that W. shall desire answer of be such as you would have but me to know, write it to myself. You know I can keep both others' counsel and mine own. Mistrust not that anything you would have kept shall be disclosed by me, for although this bearer ask many things, yet you may answer him such as you shall think meet, and write to me the rest.”

Thus, not even her favourite Leicester's misrepresentations could make the Queen forget her ancient friends.h.i.+p for ”her own crow;” but meantime the relations between that ”bunch of brethren,” black Norris and the rest, and Pelham, Hollock, and other high officers in Leicester's army, had grown worse than ever.

One August evening there was a supper-party at Count Hollock's quarters in Gertruydenberg. A military foray into Brabant had just taken place, under the lead of the Count, and of the Lord Marshal, Sir William Pelham.

The marshal had requested Lord Willoughby, with his troop of horse and five hundred foot, to join in the enterprise, but, as usual, particular pains had been taken that Sir John Norris should know nothing of the affair. Pelham and Hollock--who was ”greatly in love with Mr.

Pelham”--had invited several other gentlemen high in Leicester's confidence to accompany the expedition; and, among the rest, Sir Philip Sidney, telling him that he ”should see some good service.” Sidney came accordingly, in great haste, from Flus.h.i.+ng, bringing along with him Edward Norris--that hot-headed young man, who, according to Leicester, ”greatly governed his elder brother”--but they arrived at Gertruydenberg too late. The foray was over, and the party--”having burned a village, and killed some boors”--were on their return. Sidney, not perhaps much regretting the loss of his share in this rather inglorious shooting party, went down to the water-side, accompanied by Captain Norris, to meet Hollock and the other commanders.

As the Count stepped on sh.o.r.e he scowled ominously, and looked very much out of temper.

”What has come to Hollock?” whispered Captain Patton, a Scotchman, to Sidney. ”Has he a quarrel with any of the party? Look at his face! He means mischief to somebody.”

But Sidney was equally amazed at the sudden change in the German general's countenance, and as unable to explain it.

Soon afterwards, the whole party, Hollock, Lewis William of Na.s.sau, Lord Carew, Lord Ess.e.x, Lord Willoughby, both the Sidneys, Roger Williams, Pelham, Edward Norris, and the rest, went to the Count's lodgings, where they supped, and afterwards set themselves seriously to drinking.

Norris soon perceived that he was no welcome guest; for he was not--like Sidney--a stranger to the deep animosity which had long existed between Sir John Norris and Sir William Pelham and his friends. The carouse was a tremendous one, as usually was the case where Hollock was the Amphitryon, and, as the potations grew deeper, an intention became evident on the part of some of the company to behave unhandsomely to Norris.

For a time the young Captain ostentatiously restrained himself, very much after the fas.h.i.+on of those meek individuals who lay their swords on the tavern-table, with ”G.o.d grant I may have no need of thee!” The custom was then prevalent at banquets for the revellers to pledge each other in rotation, each draining a great cup, and exacting the same feat from his neighbour, who then emptied his goblet as a challenge to his next comrade.

The Lord Marshal took a beaker, and called out to Edward Norris. ”I drink to the health of my Lord Norris, and of my lady; your mother.” So saying, he emptied his gla.s.s.

The young man did not accept the pledge.

”Your Lords.h.i.+p knows,” he said somewhat sullenly, ”that I am not wont to drink deep. Mr. Sidney there can tell you that, for my health's sake, I have drank no wine these eight days. If your Lords.h.i.+p desires the pleasure of seeing me drunk, I am not of the same mind. I pray you at least to take a smaller gla.s.s.”

Sir William insisted on the pledge. Norris then, in no very good humour, emptied his cup to the Earl of Ess.e.x.

Ess.e.x responded by draining a goblet to Count Hollock.

”A Norris's father,” said the young Earl; as he pledged the Count, who was already very drunk, and looking blacker than ever.

”An 'orse's father--an 'orse's father!” growled' Hollock; ”I never drink to horses, nor to their fathers either:” and with this wonderful witticism he declined the pledge.

Ess.e.x explained that the toast was Lord Norris, father of the Captain; but the Count refused to understand, and held fiercely, and with d.a.m.nable iteration, to his jest.

The Earl repeated his explanation several times with no better success.

Norris meanwhile sat swelling with wrath, but said nothing.

Again the Lord Marshal took the same great gla.s.s, and emptied it to the young Captain.

Norris, not knowing exactly what course to take, placed the gla.s.s at the side of his plate, and glared grimly at Sir William.

Pelham was furious. Reaching over the table, he shoved the gla.s.s towards Norris with an angry gesture.

”Take your gla.s.s, Captain Norris,” he cried; ”and if you have a mind to jest, seek other companions. I am not to be trifled with; therefore, I say, pledge me at once.”

”Your Lords.h.i.+p shall not force me to drink more wine than I list,”