It spoke of the stir that was made by the departure from the realm of the King's favorite.

"None know where he hath gone.

The King looks dour; 't is hinted that the privy council are as much at sea as the rest of the world; my Lord of Buckingham saith nothing, but his following--which of late hath somewhat decayed--is so increased that his antechambers cannot hold the throngs that come to wait upon him.

Some will have it that my Lord Carnal hath fled the kingdom to escape the Tower; others, that the King hath sent him on a mission to the King of Spain about this detested Spanish match; others, that the gadfly hath stung him and he is gone to America,--to search for Raleigh's gold mine, maybe.

This last most improbable; but if 't is so, and he should touch at Virginia, receive him with all honor.