Plunged in work, he lived very much as a recluse in his chambers, and was thought to be reserved, and what those who disliked him called arrogant.

But Bacon was ambitious--ambitious, in the first place, of the Queen's notice and favour.

He was versatile, brilliant, courtly, besides being his father's son; and considering how rapidly bold and brilliant men were able to push their way and take the Queen's favour by storm, it seems strange that Bacon should have remained fixedly in the shade.

Something must have kept him back.

Burghley was not the man to neglect a useful instrument with such good will to serve him.