ned the case by telling
her, that she was more beholden to the love and service of one man than
of many whom she favored more. This excited her curiosity; and on her
asking who this person might be, he answered that it was Robert Cary,
who, unable longer to bear his absence from her sight, had posted up to
kiss her hand and instantly return. She sent for him directly, received
him with greater favor than ever, allowed him after the interview to
lead her out by the hand, which seemed to his brother and the secretary
nothing less than a miracle; and what was more, granted him five hundred
pounds immediately, a patent of the wardenry of the east marches, and a
renewal of his grant of Norham-castle. It was this able courtier, rather
than grateful kinsman, who earned the good graces of king James by being
the first to bring him the welcome tidings of the decease of Elizabeth.

Incidental mention has already been made of sir William Holles of
Haughton in Nottinghamshire, the gentleman who refused to marry his
daughter to the earl of Cumberland, because he did not choose "to stand
cap in hand" to his son-in-law: this worthy knight died at a great age
in the year 1590; and a few further particulars respecting him and his
descendants may deserve record, on account of the strong light which
they reflect on several points of manners. Sir William was
distinguished, perhaps beyond any other person of the same rank in the
kingdom, for boundless hospitality and a magnificent style of living.
"He began his Christmas," says the historian of the family, "at
Allhallowtide and continued it until Candlemas; during which any man was
permitted to stay three days, without being asked whence he came or what
he was." For each of the twelve days of Christmas he allowed a fat ox
and other provisions in proportion. He would never dine till after one
o'clock; and being asked why he preferred so unusually late an hour, he
answered, that "for aught he knew there might a friend come twenty miles
to dine with him, and he would be loth he should lose his labor."

At the coronation of Edward VI. he appeared with fifty followers in blue
coats and badges,--then the ordinary costume of retainers and
serving-men,--and he never went to the sessions at Retford, though only
four miles from his own mansion, without thirty "proper fellows" at his
heels. What was then rare among the greatest subjects, he kept a company
of actors of his own to perform plays and masq