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noon precisely。〃
While the rival statesmen were thus anxiously preparing for their
approaching meeting in the Queen's presence； even Elizabeth
herself was not without apprehension of what might chance from
the collision of two such fiery spirits； each backed by a strong
and numerous body of followers； and dividing betwixt them； either
openly or in secret； the hopes and wishes of most of her court。
The band of Gentlemen Pensioners were all under arms； and a
reinforcement of the yeomen of the guard was brought down the
Thames from London。 A royal proclamation was sent forth；
strictly prohibiting nobles of whatever degree to approach the
Palace with retainers or followers armed with shot or with long
weapons； and it was even whispered that the High Sheriff of Kent
had secret instructions to have a part of the array of the county
ready on the shortest notice。
The eventful hour； thus anxiously prepared for on all sides； at
length approached； and； each followed by his long and glittering
train of friends and followers； the rival Earls entered the
Palace Yard of Greenwich at noon precisely。
As if by previous arrangement； or perhaps by intimation that such
was the Queen's pleasure； Sussex and his retinue came to the
Palace from Deptford by water while Leicester arrived by land；
and thus they entered the courtyard from opposite sides。 This
trifling circumstance gave Leicester a ascendency in the opinion
of the vulgar； the appearance of his cavalcade of mounted
followers showing more numerous and more imposing than those of
Sussex's party； who were necessarily upon foot。 No show or sign
of greeting passed between the Earls； though each looked full at
the other； both expecting perhaps an exchange of courtesies；
which neither was willing to commence。 Almost in the minute of
their arrival the castle…bell tolled； the gates of the Palace
were opened； and the Earls entered； each numerously attended by
such gentlemen of their train whose rank gave them that
privilege。 The yeomen and inferior attendants remained in the
courtyard； where the opposite parties eyed each other with looks
of eager hatred and scorn； as if waiting with impatience for some
cause of tumult； or some apology for mutual aggression。 But they
were restrained by the strict commands of their leaders； and
overawed； perhaps； by the presence of an armed guard of unusual
strength。
In the meanwhile； the more distinguished persons of each train
followed their patrons into the lofty halls and ante…chambers of
the royal Palace； flowing on in the same current； like two
streams which are compelled into the same channel； yet shun to
mix their waters。 The parties arranged themselves； as it were
instinctively； on the different sides of the lofty apartments；
and seemed eager to escape from the transient union which the
narrowness of the crowded entrance had for an instant compelled
them to submit to。 The folding doors at the upper end of the
long gallery were immediately afterwards opened； and it was
announced in a whisper that the Queen was in her presence…
chamber； to which these gave access。 Both Earls moved slowly and
stately towards the entranceSussex followed by Tressilian；
Blount； and Raleigh； and Leicester by Varney。 The pride of
Leicester was obliged to give way to court…forms； and with a
grave and formal inclination of the head； he paused until his
rival； a peer of older creation than his own； passed before him。
Sussex returned the reverence with the same formal civility； and
entered the presence…room。 Tressilian and Blount offered to
follow him； but were not permitted； the Usher of the Black Rod
alleging in excuse that he had precise orders to look to all
admissions that day。 To Raleigh； who stood back on the repulse
of his companions； he said； 〃You； sir； may enter；〃 and he entered
accordingly。
〃Follow me close； Varney；〃 said the Earl of Leicester； who had
stood aloof for a moment to mark the reception of Sussex； and
advancing to the entrance； he was about to pass on； when Varney；
who was close behind him； dressed out in the utmost bravery of
the day； was stopped by the usher； as Tressilian and Blount had
been before him； 〃How is this； Master Bowyer？〃 said the Earl of
Leicester。 〃Know you who I am； and that this is my friend and
follower？〃
〃Your lordship will pardon me；〃 replied Bowyer stoutly； 〃my
orders are precise； and limit me to a strict discharge of my
duty。〃
〃Thou art a partial knave；〃 said Leicester； the blood mounting to
his face； 〃to do me this dishonour； when you but now admitted a
follower of my Lord of Sussex。〃
〃My lord；〃 said Bowyer； 〃Master Raleigh is newly admitted a sworn
servant of her Grace； and to him my orders did not apply。〃
〃Thou art a knavean ungrateful knave；〃 said Leicester； 〃but he
that hath done can undothou shalt not prank thee in thy
authority long！〃
This threat he uttered aloud； with less than his usual policy and
discretion； and having done so； he entered the presence…chamber；
and made his reverence to the Queen； who； attired with even more
than her usual splendour； and surrounded by those nobles and
statesmen whose courage and wisdom have rendered her reign
immortal； stood ready to receive the hommage of her subjects。
She graciously returned the obeisance of the favourite Earl； and
looked alternately at him and at Sussex； as if about to speak；
when Bowyer； a man whose spirit could not brook the insult he had
so openly received from Leicester； in the discharge of his
office； advanced with his black rad in his hand； and knelt down
before her。
〃Why； how now； Bowyer？〃 said Elizabeth； 〃thy courtesy seems
strangely timed！〃
〃My Liege Sovereign；〃 he said； while every courtier around
trembled at his audacity； 〃I come but to ask whether； in the
discharge of mine office； I am to obey your Highness's commands；
or those of the Earl of Leicester； who has publicly menaced me
with his displeasure； and treated me with disparaging terms；
because I denied entry to one of his followers； in obedience to
your Grace's precise orders？〃
The spirit of Henry VIII。 was instantly aroused in the bosom of
his daughter； and she turned on Leicester with a severity which
appalled him； as well as all his followers。
〃God's death！ my lord。〃 such was her emphatic phrase； 〃what
means this？ We have thought well of you； and brought you near to
our person； but it was not that you might hide the sun from our
other faithful subjects。 Who gave you license to contradict our
orders； or control our officers？ I will have in this court； ay；
and in this realm； but one mistress； and no master。 Look to it
that Master Bowyer sustains no harm for his duty to me faithfully
discharged； for； as I am Christian woman and crowned Queen； I
will hold you dearly answerable。Go； Bowyer； you have done the
part of an honest man and a true subject。 We will brook no mayor
of the palace here。
Bowyer kissed the hand which she extended towards him； and
withdrew to his post！ astonished at the success of his own
audacity。 A smile of triumph pervaded the faction of Sussex；
that of Leicester seemed proportionally dismayed； and the
favourite himself； assu