Rafael Sabatini

“ He thanked Heaven for the prudence which had silenced his impulse to bid Buckingham stand aside when he had first made his appearance. Had he acted upon that, there would very likely have been an end of him by now. And once there was an end of him, Nan would lie entirely at the Duke's mercy. His life had come suddenly to matter very much. He must go very warily.
The Duke's voice, sharp with impatience, roused him: "Well, booby? Will you stand there all night considering?"
Holles turned.
"All is here, under your grace's hand, I think," he said quietly. ”

“ Pain rendered harsh and rasping the voice whose natural music had seduced whole multitudes, and the sound of it was a sword of sharpness to that kneeling, distracted man. "It is, then, as I thought. You have done this thing at the hiring of another. You are so fallen that you play the hired bully. And you are Randal Holles!"
A groan, a wild gesture of despair were the outward signs of his torment. On his knees he dragged himself nearer, to her very feet.
"Nan, Nan, don't judge until you have heard, until . . ." ”

“ Holles, his shoulders to the door, showed a face that was now grim and set. He cast from him again the hat and cloak which he had been holding.
"It is, your grace, that I desire a word in private with you, safe from the inconvenient intrusion of your lackeys."
The Duke drew himself up, very stiff and stern, not a little intrigued as you conceive by all this; but quite master of himself. Fear, as I think I have said, was an emotion utterly unknown to him. Had he but been capable of the same self-mastery in other directions he might have been the greatest man in England. ”