[Footnote 254: “And when the Lady Mary his sister (who ever kept her house in very Catholic manner and order) came to visit him, he took special content in her company (I have heard it from an eye witness) he would ask her many questions, promise her secrecy, carrying her that respect and reverence, as if she had been his mother. And she again in her discretion, advised him in some things that concerned himself, and in other things that touched herself; in all shewing great affection and sisterly care of him. The young king would burst forth in tears, grieving matters could not be according to her will and desire. And when the duke his uncle did use her with straitness and want of liberty, he besought her to have patience until he had more years, and then he would remedy all. When she was to take leave, he seemed to part from her with sorrow; he kissed her, he called for some jewel to present her, he complained that they gave him no better to give her. Which noted by his tutors, order was taken that these visits should be very rare, alleging that they made the king sad and melancholy; and consulted to have afflicted her officer and servants; for that contrary to the then made law, she had public Mass in her chapel, if they could draw any consent from the king. But he, upon no reasons, would ever give way to it, and commanded strictly that she might have full liberty of what she would. He sent to her, inquiring if they gave her any trouble or molestation, for if they did, it was against his will, and he would see her contented. But it was not safe, nor did it stand with prudence, as the times went, for the Lady Mary to complain” (_The Life of Jane Dormer, Duchess of Feria_, pp. 61-62).] [Footnote 255: Gregorio Leti in his _Historia di Elisabetta_ publishes a letter written by Elizabeth to the Admiral (vol. i., p. 171) in which she declined the offer of his hand. There is no possibility of verifying the fact, as the original letter to which Leti had access has since disappeared; but as he has proved himself careful in instances which have been verified, there is no reason to doubt his accuracy in those which cannot be submitted to a like scrutiny.] [Footnote 256: Ellis’s _Letters_, vol. ii., p. 151, 1st series.] [Footnote 257: Lansdowne MS. 1236, f. 26. Printed in Ellis’s _Letters_, vol. ii., p. 149, 1st series (a facsimile of this letter in Mary’s own hand is on the next page).] [Footnote 258: Leti, _Historia di Elisabetta_, vol. i., p. 180. Printed in _Letters of Royal and Illustrious Ladies_, vol. iii., p. 193.] [Footnote 259: Record Office, State Papers, vol. vi., 19, 20, 21, 22 Feb. 1549.] [Footnote 260: _Journal of King Edward’s Reign, written in the King’s own hand._] [Footnote 261: Burnet, _History of the Reformation_, vol. ii., p. 187.] [Footnote 262: _Latimer’s Sermons_, 1st edition, 4th sermon. The passage was expunged in the later editions.] [Footnote 263: Add. MS. 5151, f. 308, Brit. Mus.]