re
work to do, and were he to venture into London, he would quickly be
recognised and put to death. We journeyed more slowly than we had done
when going north, as we were afraid of tiring the little lady.

We reached Lombard Street without any adventure. Lady Anne stretched
out her arms towards Aveline when she saw her, almost as if she had been
her own child, and pressed her to her bosom.

"I will be a mother to you," she said, gazing at her affectionately.
Truly Lady Anne had a tender heart. In a short time the little girl
recovered her spirits, though even in the midst of her play with young
Richard she would sometimes stop, and the tears would come into her
eyes. I knew then that she was thinking of her mother.

Richard was a delicate boy. He had gone to school at first with me, but
was unable to bear the rough treatment there, and he accordingly
remained at home, his mother being well competent to teach him various
branches of learning, while certain masters came at times to impart
other knowledge. He and Aveline soon became great friends. He watched
over her as if she was his sister, and she regarded him in the light of
a brother. He was never weary of playing with her, albeit she now and
then gave herself not a few airs when he was inclined to humour her.
Yet she was in no degree wayward, but always obedient and affectionate
to the Lady Anne.

Master Gresham returned from Spain, and proceeded again in the course of
a few days to Antwerp.

I may say here, that I did not note down his comings and goings.
Sometimes he remained in England only four or five days, scarcely
sufficient to recruit his strength, and then once more returned about
the Queen's business to Antwerp. He came over while King Philip was in
England, and I heard him tell Lady Anne that he was greatly disconcerted
with the course events were taking; that a war with France would neither
be profitable nor honourable; but the King had set his mind on it; and
the Queen, from her foolish fondness, would carry out his wishes, even
though it might prove the destruction of her kingdom.

A'Dale came to me one day about this time, and told me that he was
growing tired of the life of a mercer's apprentice, and that he was
minded to join the English forces who were going out to aid the Spanish
army on the Flemish frontier. It was to consist of seven thousand men:
four of infantry, one of cavalry, and two of pioneers. I had two strong
reasons to