untry, that the physician
is for the time the liege sovereign of his patient. Now, my noble master
was then under dominion of a leech, by whose advice he hath greatly
profited, who had issued his commands that his patient should not that
night be disturbed, on the very peril of his life."

"Thy master hath trusted some false varlet of an empiric," said the
Queen.

"I know not, madam, but by the fact that he is now--this very
morning--awakened much refreshed and strengthened from the only sleep he
hath had for many hours."

The nobles looked at each other, but more with the purpose to see what
each thought of this news, than to exchange any remarks on what had
happened. The Queen answered hastily, and without affecting to disguise
her satisfaction, "By my word, I am glad he is better. But thou wert
over-bold to deny the access of my Doctor Masters. Knowest thou not the
Holy Writ saith, 'In the multitude of counsel there is safety'?"

"Ay, madam," said Walter; "but I have heard learned men say that the
safety spoken of is for the physicians, not for the patient."

"By my faith, child, thou hast pushed me home," said the Queen,
laughing; "for my Hebrew learning does not come quite at a call.--How
say you, my Lord of Lincoln? Hath the lad given a just interpretation of
the text?"

"The word SAFETY, most gracious madam," said the Bishop of Lincoln, "for
so hath been translated, it may be somewhat hastily, the Hebrew word,
being--"

"My lord," said the Queen, interrupting him, "we said we had forgotten
our Hebrew.--But for thee, young man, what is thy name and birth?"

"Raleigh is my name, most gracious Queen, the youngest son of a large
but honourable family of Devonshire."

"Raleigh?" said Elizabeth, after a moment's recollection. "Have we not
heard of your service in Ireland?"

"I have been so fortunate as to do some service there, madam," replied
Raleigh; "scarce, however, of consequence sufficient to reach your
Grace's ears."

"They hear farther than you think of," said the Queen graciously, "and
have heard of a youth who defended a ford in Shannon against a whole
band of wild Irish rebels, until the stream ran purple with their blood
and his own."

"Some blood I may have lost," said the youth, looking down, "but it was
where my best is due, and that is in your Majesty's service."

The Queen paused, and then said hastily, "You are very young to have
fought so well, and to speak so well. But you must not