hesitation, since he was certainly not going to make a mischievous
use of it, and bent all his mind to understand the complicated
accounts that he was to lay before the Queen or her comptroller of
the household.

He had still another interview to undergo with Antony Babington, who
overtook him on his way home through the crackling leaves that
strewed the avenue, as the October twilight fell. His recent conduct
towards Humfrey gave him a certain right to friendly attention,
though, as the frank-hearted mariner said to himself, it was hard
that a plain man, who never told a lie, nor willingly had a
concealment of his own, should be involved in a many-sided secret
like this, a sort of web, where there was no knowing whether
straining the wrong strand might not amount to a betrayal, all
because he had rescued an infant, and not at once proclaimed her an
alien.

"Sir," said Antony, "if my impatience to accost the maiden we wot of,
when I saw her alone, had not misled me, I should have sought you
first to tell you that no man knows better than I that my Lady
Countess's good will is not what is wanting to forward my suit."

"Knowing then that it is not in my power or right to dispose of her,
thine ardent wooing was out of place," said Richard.

"I own it, sir, though had I but had time I should have let the
maiden know that I sought her subject to other approval, which I
trust to obtain so as to satisfy you."

"Young man," said Richard, "listen to friendly counsel, and meddle