5. Among her greatest gifts as a ruler was her clear insight into
the characters of men. She knew whom to employ as her agents,
and was rarely deceived as to how far she could trust them in a
season so full of treason and danger. But this great queen, who
humbled the most powerful monarchs, and in whose presence the
sternest men would sometimes tremble, was, after all, a very vain
woman. Nothing pleased her more, even in her old age, than
praise of her personal appearance.

6. One evening she was walking at the head of a procession
composed of ladies and gentlemen of her court, when she
encountered a muddy place in her pathway. The stately queen
paused a moment, seeming in doubt as to whether she should step
in the mud or pass around. A handsome young man, who was
standing near by, snatched a velvet cloak from his shoulders,
and, throwing it in the mud for Her Majesty to step upon, she
passed over with dry feet.

7. Queen Elizabeth was charmed with the ready gallantry of the
youth. She made inquiries concerning him, and found that it was
young Walter Raleigh, who had just come to London from his home
in the country. It was the beginning of his fortunes at court,
and he soon won the queen's confidence and respect.

8. Walter Raleigh had many noble and generous qualities. He was,
by nature, brave, ambitious and enterprising, and soon became a
great and learned man. He was a gallant soldier, a skilful
navigator and the statesman who first conceived the plan for
extending the British Empire. While serving as a soldier in