Elizabeth allowed none of her favorites to
love any one but herself, so she punished Raleigh by sending him
to the Tower.
Mistress Throgmorton was also made a prisoner. After a time,
however, both prisoners were set free, though they were banished
from court. They married and went to live at Sherborne where
Raleigh busied himself improving his beautiful house and laying
out the garden. For though set free Raleigh was still in
disgrace. But we may believe that he found some recompense for
his Queen's anger in his wife's love.
In his wife Raleigh found a life-long comrade. Through all good
and evil fortune she stood by him, she shared his hopes and
desires, she sold her lands to give him money for his voyages,
she shared imprisonment with him when it came again, and after
his death she never ceased to mourn his loss. How Raleigh loved
her in return we learn from the few letters written to her which
have come down to us. She is "Sweetheart" "Dearest Bess," and he
tells to her his troubles and his hopes as to a staunch and true
friend.
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