Howbeit, here am I a great way off from Sir _Edwin_ and his discourse of the new Court custom, the which hath name _Euphuism_, and is a right fair conceit, whereby divers gentlemen and gentlewomen do swear friendship unto one the other, by divers quaint names the which they do confer. Thus the Queen's Majesty herself is pleased to honour some of her servants, as my Lord of _Burleigh_, who is her _Spirit_, and Sir _Walter Raleigh_ her _Water_, and Mr Vice-Chamberlain [Sir Christopher Hatton] her _Sheep_, and Mr Secretary [Sir Francis Walsingham] her _Moon_. Sir _Edwin_ saith he had himself such a friendship with some mighty great lady, whose name he would not utter, (though I did my best to provoke him thereto) he calling her his _Discretion_, and she naming him her _Fortitude_. Which is pleasant and witty matter. [Note 6.] "And," quoth Sir _Edwin_, "mine honey-sweet Mistress, if it may stand with your pleasure, let us two follow the Court fashion. You shall be mine _Amiability_, [loveliness, not loveableness], and (if it shall please you) shall call me your _Protection_. Have I well said, my fairest?" "Indeed, Sir, and I thank you," I made answer, "and should you do me so much honour, it should like me right well." By this time we were come to the turn nigh the garden gate, and I dared not be seen with Sir _Edwin_ no nearer the house. The which he seemed to guess, and would there take his leave: demanding of me which road led the shortest way to _Kirkstone_ Pass. So I home, and into our chamber to doff my raiment, where, as ill luck would have it, was _Nell_. Now, our chamber window is the only one in all the house whence the path to _Jack's_ hut can be seen: wherefore I reckoned me fairly safe. But how did mine heart jump into my mouth when _Nell_ saith, as I was a-folding of my kerchief-- "Who was that with thee, _Milly_?" Well, I do hope it was not wicked that I should answer,--"A gentleman, _Nell_, that would know his shortest way to _Kirkstone_ Pass." In good sooth, it was a right true answer: for Sir _Edwin_ is a gentleman, and he did ask me which were the shortest way thereto. But, good lack! it seemed me as all the pins that ever were in a cushion started o' pricking me when I thus spake. Yet what ill had I done, forsooth? I had said no falsehood: only shut _Nell's_ mouth, for she asked no further. And, dear heart, may I not make so much as a friend to divert me withal, but I must send round the town-crier to proclaim the same? After I had writ thus much, down come I to the great chamber, where I found _Anstace_ and _Hal_ come; and _Hal_, with _Father_ and _Mynheer_, were fallen of mighty grave discourse touching the news of late come, that the Pope hath pretended to deprive the Queen's Majesty of all right to _Ireland_. Well-a-day! as though Her Majesty should think to let go _Ireland_ or any other land because a foreign bishop should bid her! Methinks this companion the Pope must needs be clean wood [mad].