Queen in Waiting - Plaidy Jean (электронную книгу бесплатно без регистрации TXT) 📗

All those who were dissatisfied with the Government began to make their way to Leicester House; and not only those. There were astute statesmen who began to realize that the Princess of Wales, if not the Prince, was extremely clever; and although she suffered personally through the loss of her children, her popularity with the people had multiplied because of it. There was scarcely a mother in London and its surrounding villages who did not cry shame to the monster who could deprive a woman of her children.

Caroline mourning for them, deplored the fact that she had no say in their upbringing; but she made full use of the situation; and sought to forget her sorrowful resentment in building the rival court.

This she quickly succeeded in doing and so efiiciently that some of the King's ministers advised him to seek an end of the quarrel. A house divided against itself was in danger, they

pointed out; particularly when there was a Prince across the water whom many considered to be the real King.

George shrugged these warnings aside. He disliked his son; he deplored his conduct; and he did not trust the Princess of Wales, although he admired her as a woman. He would state his terms to his son and his son must accept them or content himself with exile.

Meanwhile the charm and beauty of Caroline's ladies-in-waiting brought the young bloods to Leicester House—men like the brilliant Lord Hervey whose verses were so clever and who was so good looking, but in a somewhat effeminate way so that he was at times like a handsome girl; but he was clever enough to be an ornament to any Court and Caroline encouraged him. Then there was clever young Lord Stanhope, Lord Chesterfield's heir—so witty that he could not fail to amuse, although he was cruel with it. A strange young man, in looks as different from Hervey as he could be—with an enormous head which made him look stunted and almost dwarf like; and although he was only in his early twenties his teeth were already black. Unprepossessing though he was, he was continually boasting of his successes with women; and his wit was pungent and even more cruel than Hervey's. Another was Lord Peterborough, a tall cadaverous young man; he was amoral doubtless, but amusing. These young men fluttered round the maids of honour with many others; and the promise they gave of being the men of the future interested Caroline.

But her most welcome guests were the writers and for them there was always a ready welcome. Before she had been long at Leicester House Pope, Gay and Tickell were regular visitors; and she had expressed a wish that when Jonathan Swift was in London he would visit her. Isaac Newton was always welcome and since he lived in St. Martin's Lane not far from Leicester Fields, he enjoyed many conversations with Caroline.

This was what she had always wanted—not only a Court where politicians gathered, but one which should be the centre of the arts. Thus it had been in the days of her childhood when she had been so impressed by the court of Sophia Charlotte; she had always dreamed of being the moving spirit in

such a court; and now she could be. There was a difference between herself and Sophia Charlotte though—Sophia Charlotte had loved the arts only and had never sought to take a share in government. Caroline wanted both.

George Augustus had little time for the writers. He despised what he called "boetry". He even remonstrated with Lord Hervey for writing it.

**Vot for you vant to write this boetry?" he demanded. "That is for little Mr. Pope and his kind ... not for a noble lord.''

But he indulged his wife. "If you like these men, my tear, then haf them ... but they are only boets and vill not help us fight my father?"

Caroline's reply was that she believed there was more strength in the pen than anything else; and these people delighted her with their clever use of words.

"You vere alvays von governess," said the Prince affectionately.

And the writers continued to come.

Caroline knew that in time it would be the turn of the important politicians.

Caroline was not surprised when Sir Spencer Compton came to Leicester House with a message from the King, and she and the Prince received him in the latter's apartment.

His Majesty, explained Sir Spencer, deplored the differences which existed between him and his son.

George Augustus retorted that if that were so his father only had to behave like any rational father and he and the Princess would be happy to forget those differences.

"This," said Sir Spencer, "is exactly what His Majesty wishes to do, and if Your Highness will abide by certain rules this unfortunate trouble should be over."

"Can you tell me vat these rules are?"

"I can, for it is for the purpose of laying them before you that I have come here."

"Pray proceed."

"His Majesty requires you to pay for your children's house-

holds—that of your daughters in St. James's and your son in Hanover."

"If my father vill allow my son to come to England and be under my direction I shall have the greatest pleasure in paying for his establishment over here."

"It is the King's wish that he remains in Hanover."

George Augustus's face was purple with anger. "Then it shall be the King's privilege to provide for him there."

"Is that Your Highness's final answer on that point?"

The Prince rapped his fist on the table. "That is my final answer."

"And your daughters' household?"

"If the King vill have charge of them he must pay for them."

"Then I will continue with the conditions which the King has asked me to put before you. You are to fill no places in your household without the King's pleasure, and to retain in your service no one disagreeable to His Majesty."

"That vould doubtless mean ridding ourselves of some of those who are dearest to us," said Caroline quickly.

"It is a condition His Majesty has imposed."

Caroline looked at the Prince and shook her head; she nad no need. He was growing angrier every minute.

"Vat else?" he asked.

"It would be necessary for you to sever relations with any whom the King declared was disagreeable to him and to treat the King's servants in a civil manner."

"I can scarcely believe that is all His Majesty demands!" said George Augustus with heavy sarcasm.

"And the children?" cried Caroline hastily. "If ve did these things should ve be allowed to have our children back?"

"There is one other condition, Your Highnesses."

"Yes?"

"You would be obliged to acquiesce in the King's right to the guardianship of his grandchildren."

"No," cried Caroline.

"No, no, nor echoed the Prince.

Caroline smiled at him. "Ve are better as ve are. I know the Prince is too vise and shrewd and also too proud to give vay to such conditions."

"That is true,'* said the Prince.

So Sir Spencer Compton went away; and the quarrel persisted, as fierce as ever.

**He is the von who vill be sorry," Caroline told the Prince, though in her heart she would have been ready to agree to any condition which brought back her children to her, and the King knew it. It was for this reason that he had struck her in such a way that she should suffer most.

Very well. It was open warfare. If the King wanted battle between himself and his son and daughter-in-law, he should have it.

And she was strong enough to make her own the winning side.

And when Robert Walpole became a visitor to Leicester House she believed she was going to succeed.