So easily swayed, they sanctified Flora Hastings and vilified the Queen—for they had to have a scapegoat. The papers were full of the affair. People walked about the streets displaying placards on which were written: “Murder at Buckingham Palace.” The Queen was hissed when she rode out in her carriage.
“We shall see sparks flying at the funeral,” said Uncle Peter. “The Queen and Melbourne must be uneasy. It’s bad for them that she died at Buckingham Palace and the cortège will start from there. I’d be ready to swear that they will leave earlier than stated because they’ll be hoping to get well away before the crowds become unmanageable. Anything could happen. It’s to be hoped the Queen’s advisers won’t let her attend. I don’t think it would be safe for her little Majesty.”
She did not attend but she sent her carriage. A stone was thrown at it.
I said to Uncle Peter: “Why do they blame her? I suppose she only listened to her advisers.”
“A monarch cannot afford to take the wrong side. No, Her Majesty is not to blame. She has the kindest of hearts and is most sentimental. This has been worked up between the Queen’s household and that of her mother. Things are never quite as they seem, Annora my dear. There are intrigues and feuds where you would least expect them. Don’t fret. Her Majesty is quite safe on the throne.”
“But when she was crowned they cheered her so madly. They really loved her then.”
“They’ll love her again. The crowd’s love is very fickle. It’s like the weather. You can never rely on it. It is well to remember that it changes quickly. But everything blows over eventually.”
It seemed to me that he was quite fond of me. He often talked to me which I thought was rather strange, as I must have seemed very young and inexperienced to such a worldly man.
One late afternoon when Helena and I returned from a visit to the shops, we were told by one of the maids that a gentleman was in the drawing room with Mrs. Lansdon and we were to go there as soon as we came in.
Giving our parcels to the maid to be taken to our rooms we went into the drawing room.
To our amazement Matthew was there.
Helena gave a little cry. He came to her, and putting his hands on her shoulders, kissed her.
Then he turned to me.
“I am so pleased to see you, Annora,” he said, taking my hands. “I … heard. I was so sorry I was not there to help.”
I shook my head and tried to fight back the emotion which reference to the tragedy always aroused. I said: “Matthew, how are you? How long have you been back?”
“Some little time,” he said. “I went to Cornwall. Your letter said you would be there. They gave me hospitality for a night and then I started on the journey here.”
Aunt Amaryllis said: “Isn’t it wonderful? You must be very happy, Helena. You have been so long apart.”
“How is Jonnie?” asked Matthew.
“He is well. You’ll want to see him, of course.”
I thought: Helena is keeping up the pretence that this is an ordinary marriage—and Matthew is helping her.
“He’s in the nursery,” went on Helena. “Come up.”
They went. Aunt Amaryllis looked at me and said: “He seems a very pleasant young man. And so earnest. Before you came he was telling me about his research and his book. I do hope it is soon published. I think he is a very good young man.”
I was amazed at the impact Matthew made on the family. He had always seemed to me rather insignificant apart from his ambition to do good. He had never shown great interest in anything but prison reform.
It was Uncle Peter, of course, who was behind it all.
When he had heard that Matthew had collected his material and had already written it in the form of a book he wanted to see the book and Matthew willingly showed him. Having read it Uncle Peter was enthusiastic.
“It must be published without delay,” he said. “Leave it to me. It is a matter of making sure it receives notice. I know people, I know how these things are done. People should know of these evils.”
He gave me a broad smile for he saw the amazement on my face; he knew that I was thinking of the work that he had kept secret for so long.
There was some motive behind Uncle Peter’s interest. With Uncle Peter there would always be a motive.
Matthew was delighted. Before he had been in the house a few days he was Uncle Peter’s devoted disciple. He listened to his views with reverence; he must have known the nature of Uncle Peter’s business but like so many before him he was ready to forget that. It must have seemed to him that anyone who cared so much about prison reform was a good man.
Uncle Peter acted quickly. He found a firm which was eager to publish the book. A few adjustments would have to be made.
“Always the case,” said Uncle Peter lightly, “with people who are not professional writers. The sooner we get the whole thing ready and out, the better.”
Matthew had changed. I could see that he thought this marriage into which he had entered on impulse to help Helena was turning out very well for him. He had acquired the kindest of mothers-in-law who was ready to love everyone and a powerful father-in-law who was well disposed towards him and was welcoming him with open arms into his new family.
Uncle Peter set about getting people working on the book and I was sure a great deal of interest would be created.
I began to understand Uncle Peter’s motive, for one evening when we were all at dinner he said: “You know, Matthew, it is not enough to write a book. A book is important. People read it and become indignant. This should not be, they say. And then something else catches their attention. The book could be a nine days’ wonder. The battle will not be done by one single book.”
Matthew looked crestfallen. “But, I thought, sir, to arouse people’s consciences.”
“And so you will. But consciences are fickle things and I repeat, it is not enough. You will have to plead your cause to the country … and there is only one way of doing that.”
“I don’t understand. Another book?”
Uncle Peter shook his head. “There is bound to be an election soon. Stand for Parliament, my dear fellow. Get in. Bring this matter up. That’s the only way. It’s Parliament that changes the law.”
“It has always been a dream of mine to get into politics. I see that it is the real way to get these things done.”
“Well, do you want my advice?”
“I’d be grateful for it. You have been so wonderfully good to me.” Uncle Peter smiled at him. “Start thinking about standing for Parliament now.”
“Do you think I would be eligible?”
“We’ll make you eligible. Now this book is going to make a stir.”
“Are you sure of that?”
“We’ll see that it does. That sort of thing is not left to chance. You’ll have a certain amount of fame. Now, you’ll have to have a place of your own … a little house in Westminster … not very far from here. You and Helena will entertain the right people. I know something about these things. Progress in all things is very much a matter of knowing the right people. That’s not all, of course. But it plays a big part. You must have a house … a charming house … not too big. Just what is right for a rising young man whose main interest is doing the right thing for his country. You are shocked by some of our laws and you are going into Parliament to put that right. That is what politicians are supposed to be for. You have written your book. You have travelled to Australia to get first-hand knowledge. You have interviewed convicts. You’d get in easily in the right constituency. People are interested in reform. Think of the Reform Bill and the difference that has made. If you want to bring about Prison Reform there is only one way of doing it. In Parliament.”