MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 99 



I pray your lordship to present my humble service and 

 thanks to my Lord Marquis, to whom, when I have a little 

 paused, I purpose to write; as likewise to his majesty, for 

 whose health and happiness, as his true beadsman, I most 

 frequently pray. 



Indorsed, March 11 Copy of my answer to Lord 

 Falkland. 



Secretary Conway to the Lord Viscount St. Alban.* 



Right Honourable, 



I do so well remember the motives, why I presented you so 

 with my humble service, and particular application of it to 

 your particular use, as I neither forget nor repent the offer. 

 And I must confess a greater quickening could not have 

 been added to my resolution to serve you, than the chal 

 lenge you lay to my duty, to follow, in his absence, the 

 affection of your most noble and hearty friend the Marquis. 



I lost no time to deliver your letter, and to contribute 

 the most advantageous arguments I could. It seems your 

 motion had been more than enough, if a former engage 

 ment to Sir William Becher upon the Marquis his score 

 had not opposed it. 



I will give you his majesty s answer, which was, That 

 he could not value you so little, or conceive you would have 

 humbled your desires and your worth so low. That it had 

 been a great deal of ease to him to have had such a scant 

 ling of your mind, to which he could never have laid so 

 unequal a measure. His majesty adding further, that since 

 your intentions moved that way, he would study your ac 

 commodation. And it is not out of hope, but that he may 

 give some other contentment to Sir William Becher in due 

 time, to accommodate your lordship, of whom, to your 

 comfort, it is my duty to tell you, his majesty declared a 

 good opinion, and princely care and respect. 



I will not fail to use time and opportunity to your ad 

 vantage ; and if you can think of any thing to instruct my 

 affection and industry, your lordship may have the more 

 quick and handsome proof of my sure and real intentions 

 to serve you, being indeed 



Your Lordship s affectionate Servant, 

 - ?^ to ^oo ED. CONWAY. 



March 27, 1623. 



* From the collections of Robert Stephens, Esq. deceased. 



