enting the English from aiding the Prince of Orange.

"Ernst Verner, our beloved country is at the present moment in a very
dangerous position. On one side we have, as I have shown you, France
and Spain, urged by the Pope, wanting nothing but ability to attack us.
By Alva's designs our commerce in the Low Countries has been crippled.
In Scotland there is a strong Roman Catholic party, who are doing their
utmost to subvert the throne of Elizabeth, and to substitute Mary Stuart
in her place. The disaffected, whether in religion or politics, make
that unhappy lady their rallying-point. Ireland is in a state of
rebellion; and, as if this were not enough, there are those traitors of
whom I have spoken to you, and many more at home, seeking again to
introduce the despotism of Rome, and to keep the nation in that state of
ignorance and superstition which the Papal power finds to best answer
its purpose."

These remarks, as may be supposed, made a deep impression on me; and,
after some further conversation with my old friend, I bade him farewell,
promising faithfully to convey the warning given, through Sir Thomas, to
the Secretary. I felt eager to be of service in the cause, and saw the
importance of every man of intelligence and influence rallying round the
statesman who alone appeared capable of counteracting the numerous evil
influences associated for the destruction of the State. Though only
half an Englishman, as a true Protestant all my sympathies were now
enlisted on behalf of my adopted country.

CHAPTER THIRTY.

DAME TROND'S TREACHERY.

On leaving Sir John Leigh, I hastened back to Gresham House, where I
found Sir Thomas. He listened attentively to my account. "The
traitors! the unhappy bigots!" he exclaimed more than once as I
proceeded with it. "Order my horse and four attendants; I will set
forth immediately and visit the Secretary, and inform him of this
matter. Every hour may be of consequence."

On his return, Sir Thomas told me that Sir William Cecil had received
the information with great calmness, fully believing, however, the whole
account.

"He will not forget you, Ernst, depend on that," he said, "should you
prefer any other calling to that in which you are engaged."

It was evident that the object of the other ministers in absenting
themselves from the Queen's Council was, should anything go wrong, to
throw all the blame on Sir William Cecil. The wise way, however, in
which the Que