Hill was at the harpsichord and it was a long time since the Queen had been so contented.
A scratching at the door! How lightly and quickly Hill sped across a room!
Now she was back at the Queen’s chair.
“Mr. Harley, Your Majesty. He humbly begs to be admitted.”
“Dear Mr. Harley. Such a pleasure to see him!”
Harley came in; he bowed; he took the white hand—a little swollen at the moment, but still beautiful—and kissed it.
“Your Majesty is so gracious to receive me thus.”
“My dear Mr. Harley I was just thinking what pleasant times we have had here.”
“Your Majesty’s goodness overwhelms me.”
“Perhaps Mr. Harley would care to take some chocolate, Hill.”
Mr. Harley assured the Queen that he had come straight from dinner and would take no chocolate.
Harley complimented the Queen on her looks. He was certain that she looked more healthful than when they had last met.
“My dear good Hill takes care of me,” said the Queen.
“And the Prince seems better too.”
“His asthma troubles him greatly. He had difficulty in breathing last night. It is worse after dinner and supper. I have told him that if his appetite were less good his asthma might be better. But Hill makes a good brew which he inhales and that has brought him some relief. Hill, you must tell Mr. Harley about this brew of yours.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I shall be most interested to hear of it.”
“The Prince’s health is a matter of great concern to me,” went on the Queen.
“Your Majesty is such a devoted wife. He is the most fortunate Prince alive.”
“And I am most fortunate to have him.”
The Prince muttered in his sleep.
“It is all right, George,” said the Queen. “Mr. Harley is saying charming things about you.”
The Prince grunted while Harley watched him cautiously. It was when he assured himself that George was fast asleep that he said: “I’ve heard a disturbing rumour, Madam.”
“Oh!” The pleasure slipped from Anne’s face.
“It need not disturb Your Majesty,” said Harley hastily. “In fact, I am sure it will not because, Madam, you will never allow ambitious people to choose your ministers for you.”
“Is it that man?”
“Sunderland, yes.”
“I do not like the man’s temper and I should never have a friendly relationship with him.”
“It is not to be wondered at. Like Your Majesty I do not like his temper and I know I could never have a friendly relationship with him.”
Delight spread across the Queen’s face. It was always pleasing when someone took up her phrases and used them as their own.
“Your Majesty will agree with me,” went on Harley, “that we must not allow this to come to pass.”
“I am so pleased, Mr. Harley, that you are in such agreement with me.”
“Your Majesty is so gracious that you forget you are the ruler of this realm.”
“I could not rule it without the help of my ministers and it is necessary that I enjoy a friendly relationship with them.”
“Of the utmost necessity,” agreed Harley.
“And with that man …”
“Your Majesty never could.”
“It is so very, very true.”
“I fear, Madam, that there is a conspiracy afoot.”
“A conspiracy!”
“To form a strong alliance of a certain family …”
Abigail was holding her breath. This was very dangerous ground. Anyone who had seen the Queen and Sarah together must know how strong were Anne’s feelings for her friend. This was coming out into the open most dangerously.
“Madam,” went on Harley hurriedly, for he was well aware of the danger, “I owe much to the great Duke. I was his protégé. He helped me to my place. But I serve my Queen with all my heart, and if to show my gratitude to those who had been my benefactors in the past means betraying my Sovereign—then, Madam, I must needs be ungrateful.”
“Dear Mr. Harley, I understand you. I understand perfectly.”
“Your Majesty’s powers of perception have always encouraged me. It is for this reason that I dare speak to you thus now.”
“Pray, Mr. Harley, be completely frank with me.”
“Then, Madam, I will say this. It is not good for the welfare of this country that one family should be so strongly represented that it is in fact the ruling family. There is one ruler of this country and one only. I will serve my Queen with all my heart and soul but I will serve no family which by clever contrivance has ousted her from her birthright.”
“Contrivance!” gasped the Queen. “Ousted!”
“I speak too strongly. I crave Your Majesty’s pardon.”
“No, Mr. Harley. You speak sincerely and that is what I would wish.”
“Then have I Your Majesty’s leave to continue?”
“You have, Mr. Harley. Indeed you have.”
“Then, Madam, I say this, that if Marlborough’s son-in-law is Secretary of State, while Marlborough is Commander in chief and Godolphin, father-in-law to Marlborough’s daughter, is your Lord Treasurer, and the Duchess continues to select your ministers … then it would seem you are no longer Queen in truth. You will be a cipher to the Churchill family, Madam. And that is something it would grieve me to see; and while I serve my Queen with all my heart and soul I should not serve these … usurpers.”
There was silence in the green closet. The Queen was shaken. Harley stared down at his hands. Had he gone too far? It was all very well to attack Sunderland and Godolphin; even Marlborough. But Sarah—the Queen’s beloved friend!
He was reassured when he heard Anne’s voice, a little trembling, but with the obstinacy as strong as ever.
“I could never endure Lord Sunderland’s temper and there would never be a good relationship between us.”
Sarah was down at Woodstock harrying John Vanbrugh, who wanted to retain part of the old Manor of Woodstock on account, he said, of its archaeological interest. Sarah, who had no feeling for archaeological interest declared that the house was to be a monument to the Duke of Marlborough’s genius and nothing else need be considered. She was unsure of the plans, too. The place was going to be vast, and although she approved of all the very best workmanship and materials going into the building, at the same time she wanted the Palace to be a residence as well as a monument.
This occupied her attention, but she had only shelved the matter of Sunderland and intended to come back to the attack later on. The Queen at the moment was intensely stubborn, but if she was denied the company of her beloved Mrs. Freeman for a while, Sarah believed that she would be ready to have it back … at any price.
Meanwhile the Queen was worried about the Prince’s asthma, and consulted Abigail.
“I’m afraid the air here is not as good for him, Hill. His wheeze was terrible last night. I could not sleep for it … and nor could my poor angel.”
Abigail suggested that a visit to Kensington might be beneficial. It was nearer London than Hampton and she was sure that the air was very good indeed there. Did the Queen remember how well the Prince had been there during their last sojourn?
“Now that you remind me, Hill, I do. We will go to Kensington.”
George was delighted. Kensington had always been one of his favourite palaces. Anne smiled to herself, remembering how as soon as William was dead George had said: “Now we haf Kensington.” And he had taken possession of the palace without much delay. It was good to see him in a place he so loved. She herself found it delightful and there was the additional interest of seeing how the gardens were progressing. She kept a hundred gardeners at work on it and the result of their labours was beginning to be obvious. The banqueting hall which she had had built was magnificent with its Corinthian pillars and niches in which were branches chandeliers. How pleasant it would be to give concerts and balls there; the public so enjoyed being admitted to the gardens.