1616.] PROJECTED PROGRESS TO SCOTLAND. 183 



Having thus secured the first step towards regain- 

 ing his status, the palace gates were soon thrown open 

 for his admission to the king, by the influence of the 

 favourite. Coke, who continued on and off at New- 

 market during November and December, watching 

 for a favourable opportunity of getting access to the 

 king, attained his object in due time. " The first time 

 he had orood success, and kissed the Kine's hand 

 What success he had the second time," writes Mr. 

 Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton, " I cannot yet 

 learn, for the news is as new as most certain and true. 

 The motive of his first journey was the report of some 

 of his Friends to the king, how much he was dismayed 

 and dejected. Whereupon the king answered, that if 

 he came to him, he should find that he owed him no 

 further displeasure, and indeed he has given Order 

 before to dash certain suits commenced in the Star 

 Chamber against him. And Mr. Attorney [Bacon] 

 committed two of his men to the Fleet, for presuming 

 to give order against him in his name, or as by his 

 direction. His friends are in hope that he shall very 

 shortly be restored to the Council-table. His Lady 

 hath somewhat changed her copy, and finding how 

 sharply her former carriage sounded as well with 

 friends as foes, hath reclaimed herself and a little 

 mollified the matter, as if she had no such meaning as 

 was conceived." * He adds : " There is a surd bruit f 

 as if the Blazing Star [Buckingham] at last were 

 toward an eclipse, and that there is some glimpse 

 or sparkling of a less Comet of the Lord of Mont- 



* Birch MS., 4173, fo. 530. \ I.e. rumour ; and an idle one. 



