Gilbert Parker

“ No man's self-control could meet such a surprise without wavering, and Essex was confounded. He could not for a moment do aught but gaze at Lemprière. Then, as the Seigneur suddenly swayed, and would have fallen, the instinct of natural courtesy, strong in him, sent him with arms outstretched to lift him up, and together, without a word, he and de la Forêt carried him to the couch and laid him down. ”

“ With a little exclamation of rage, Elizabeth leaned over and slapped his face with her long glove. "God's death, but I who made you will unmake you, Essex!" she said.
He dropped his hand on his sword. "If you were but a man and not a Queen—" he said, then stopped short, for there was that in the Queen's face which changed his purpose. Anger was shaking her, but there were tears in her eyes. The woman in her was stronger than the Queen. It was nothing to her at this moment that she might have his life as easily as she had struck his face with her glove ”

“ Her glance fell on de la Forêt. Her look softened. "I will hear you preach on Whit-Sunday in my chapel, monsieur."
There was an instant's pause, and then she said to Angèle, with gracious look and in a low voice: "You have heard from me that calumny that the innocent never escape. To see your nature, I accused you. You might have heard it first from one who could do you more harm than Elizabeth of England, whose office is to do good, not evil. Nets are spread for those whose hearts are simple, and your feet have been caught. ”