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half-tempted to espouse your quarrel. For I have inquired, and it
appears ye have been hardly dealt with, and have much excuse. But look
ye, sir, I am, before all else, a leader in the queen's interest; and
though by nature a just man, as I believe, and leaning even to the excess
of mercy, yet must I order my goings for my party's interest, and, to
keep Sir Daniel, I would go far about."
"My lord," returned Dick, "ye will think me very bold to counsel you; but
do ye count upon Sir Daniel's faith? Methought he had changed sides
intolerably often."
"
Nay, it is the way of England. What would ye have?" the earl demanded.
But ye are unjust to the knight of Tunstall; and as faith goes, in this
"
unfaithful generation, he hath of late been honourably true to us of
Lancaster. Even in our last reverses he stood firm."
"An it pleased you, then," said Dick, "to cast your eye upon this letter,
ye might somewhat change your thought of him;" and he handed to the earl
Sir Daniel's letter to Lord Wensleydale.
The effect upon the earl's countenance was instant; he lowered like an
angry lion, and his hand, with a sudden movement, clutched at his dagger.
"Ye have read this also?" he asked.
"Even so," said Dick. "It is your lordship's own estate he offers to
Lord Wensleydale?"
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