For a moment he could do naught but gaze at Lempriere.
Then, as the Seigneur suddenly swayed and would have fallen, the instinct of effective courtesy, strong in him, sent him with arms outstretched to lift him up.

Together, without a word, he and De la Foret carried him to the couch and laid him down.

That single act saved Leicester's life.

There was something so naturally (though, in truth, it was so hypocritically) kind in the way he sprang to his enemy's assistance that an old spirit of fondness stirred in the Queen's breast, and she looked strangely at him.

When, however, they had disposed of Lempriere and Leicester had turned again towards her, she said: "Did you think I had no loyal and true gentlemen at my Court, my lord?
Did you think my leech would not serve me as fair as he would serve the Earl of Leicester?
You have not bought us all, Robert Dudley, who have bought and sold so long.