not in perilous matters. I ask thee not whether Dethick hath any
commerce with Wingfield; but I warn thee earnestly to eschew
beginning again that which caused the trouble of thy childhood. Thou
mayst do it innocently, seeking the consent of the lady to this
courtship of thine; but I tell thee, as one who knows more of the
matter than thou canst, that thou wilt only meet with disappointment"

"Hath the Queen other schemes for her?" asked Babington, anxiously;
and Richard, thinking of the vista of possible archdukes, replied
that she had; but that he was not free to speak, though he replied to
Babington's half-uttered question that his son Humfrey was by no
means intended.

"Ah!" cried Antony, "you give me hope, sir. I will do her such
service that she shall refuse me nothing! Sir! do you mock me!" he
added, with a fierce change of note.

"My poor lad, I could not but laugh to think what a simple plotter
you are, and what fine service you will render if thou utterest thy
vows to the very last person who should hear them! Credit me, thou
wast never made for privy schemes and conspiracies, and a Queen who
can only be served by such, is no mistress for thee. Thou wilt but
run thine own neck into the noose, and belike that of others."

"That will I never do," quoth Antony. "I may peril myself, but no
others."

"Then the more you keep out of secrets the better. Thou art too
open-hearted and unguarded for them! So speaks thy well-wisher,
Antony, whose friendship thou hast won by thine honourable conduct