Against all this the advocates of the Pembroke theory have nothing to place but conjectures, a series of insignificant coincidences and the assumption that the woman in the Sonnets is to be identified with the woman who bore Herbert a child, Mary Fitton. The publication of Sonnet xliv. by Jaggard, in 1599, shows that the intrigue between the youth and the dark lady, which is the central event of the Sonnets, was already, and had probably been for some time, in full career, while there is no evidence that Pembroke was involved with Mary Fitton before the summer of 1600. But what finally disposes of this theory is the testimony afforded by Lady Newdigate-Newdegate’s recently published _Gossip from a Muniment Room_. Indispensable requisites in the lady of the Sonnets are, that she should be dark, a “black beauty” with “eyes raven black,” with hair which resembles “black wires,” and that she should be a married woman; but the portraits--and there are two of them--of Mary Fitton, show that she had a fair complexion, with brown hair and grey eyes; and she remained unmarried, until long after her connection with Pembroke had ceased. The theory which identifies W. H. with the Earl of Southampton is slightly more plausible, but the difficulties in the way of accepting it are, in truth, equally insuperable. This theory has at least one great point in its favour. Shakespeare was acquainted, and it may be inferred intimately acquainted, with Southampton, as the dedications of _Venus and Adonis_ and the _Rape of Lucrece_ indicate. Of his affection and respect for this nobleman he has left an expression almost as remarkable as the language of the sonnets. “The love I dedicate to your lordship is without end.... What I have done is yours; what I have to do is yours: being part in all I have devoted yours. Were my worth greater, my duty would show greater.” This bears a singularly close resemblance to Sonnet xxvi.,-- “Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit, To thee I send this written embassage To witness duty, not to show my wit, Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it.”