soon as the dust of travel had been removed they were seated at the
board, and called on to tell of the gallant deeds in which they had
taken part, whilst they heard in exchange of Lord Leicester's doings
in the Netherlands, and the splendid exploits of the Stanleys at
Zutphen.

Lord Talbot promised to take Humfrey to Richmond the next day, to be
presented to her Majesty, so soon as he should be equipped, so as not
to lose his character of mariner, but still not to affront her
sensibilities by aught of uncourtly or unstudied in his apparel.

They confirmed what Babington had said of the Queen of Scots' changes
of residence and of keepers. As to Cicely, they had been lately so
little at Sheffield that they had almost forgotten her, but they
thought that if she were still at Chartley, there could be no
objection to her brothers having an interview with her on their way
home, if they chose to go out of their road for it.

Humfrey mentioned his meeting with Babington in Westminster, and Lord
Talbot made some inquiries as to his companions, adding that there
were strange stories and suspicions afloat, and that he feared that
the young man was disaffected and was consorting with Popish
recusants. Diccon's tongue was on the alert with his observation,
but at a sign from his brother, who did not wish to get Babington
into trouble, he was silent. Cavendish, however, laughed and said he
was for ever in Mr. Secretary's house, and even had a room there.

Very early the next morning the body servant of his Lordship was in
attendance with a barber and the fashionable tailor of the Court, and
in good time Humfrey and Diccon were arrayed in such garments as were