Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill - Plaidy Jean - Страница 53

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It was a pleasant summer villa, the Prince decided; not ostentatious, but suited to his present mode of living. His passion for building made him dream of what alterations might one day be made to the Pavilion—but for the time being, with its two wings on either side of the rotunda, it must be adequate.

Maria, who had refused to live openly with him, took a little house very near Marine Pavilion—just a small villa, made charming by its green shutters, and it was particularly convenient because only a narrow strip of garden separated it from the Prince's house.

During that winter while Fox w r as urging loyal Whigs to support the Prince's request that his debts be considered a State matter and he be enabled to maintain an establishment suitable to his rank, he lived as simply as he could. Since living at Carlton House was too expensive he accepted the loan of several country houses. Lord North lent him his at Bushey and his uncle the Duke of Gloucester wrote from abroad that his mansion at Bagshot was at His Highness's service.

Maria was delighted with his economies and he delighted in pleasing Maria. Brighton took to her; she never gave herself airs, but at the same time had such a regal presence that she won immediate respect. All the well-known hostesses received her as though she were indeed the Princess of Wales. The

Duchesses of Cumberland, Devonshire and Rutland, Ladies Clare, Clermont and Melbourne, were all at Brighton—they must be if they would be fashionable; there they entertained and unless they could induce the Prince and Mrs. Fitzherbert to head their guests they were most despondent. The Prince was seen going everywhere with Maria. Martha Gunn openly called her Mrs. Prince; and people took up the name. It was clear that they accepted Maria as the wife of the Prince of Wales, and the stories that a marriage had taken place between them as true.

The good people of Brighton would not have had it otherwise. The building of Marine Pavilion had brought prosperity to Brighton builders. Everyone was wanting villas put up— and grand ones too.

The people of Brighton cheered the Prince wherever he went. They did not forget what they owed to him—and of course to Mrs. Prince.

The popularity of the Prince was never so high as it was during that summer. His ex^eme affability and his free and easy manners won the hearts of the people of Brighton. He was sorry he had run up such debts, they said; and how had he? On setting up home for Mrs. Fitzherbert. A reasonable and romantic reason. What right had the King to be so hard on his son? They remembered that the Parliament had paid the King's debts before this. And why was that? How did he run up debts with his cheeseparing. They knew. It was because the Queen was spending money abroad on her needy family, that was what it was! And in the meantime the charming Prince of Wales—who it was admitted had lived extravagantly but understandably so—had to live in penury.

Penury was scarcely the word to describe the way of life at Marine Pavilion—but the Prince was undoubtedly economizing.

Under the influence of Maria, he drank less and that made him more affable still. He was interested in his servants; when a boy was dismissed for dishonesty the Prince found him weeping bitterly and asking the cause, and discovering it, said to the

boy: 'If I gave you another chance would you promise me never to steal again and be my good and faithful servant?' The boy swore it and the chance was given and ever after no one dared say a word against the Prince of Wales in his hearing. Thus he was popular with the townsfolk and particularly in his own household. It was said of him that no one was ever adored so wholeheartedly by his servants as he was. He could always be relied on to help anyone in financial difficulties. It was true that he had no notion of money but quite a proportion of his debts had been incurred through his generous help to those in distress.

Maria, knowing this, rejoiced in her prince and she declared more than once that economizing in Brighton was no real hardship. In fact she had never been so happy in her life.

The Due d'Orlcans, that lover of Grace Elliott and all things English, was naturally at Brighton. He was known to be out of sympathy with his cousin the King of France and the enemy of the Queen of that country; he loved the English way of life. He was always to the fore at any race meeting; he gambled extravagantly; and he declared himself to be one of the best friends of the Prince of Wales.

One day when he found himself alone with the Prince he broached the subject of the Prince's financial difficulties and told him that it grieved him very much to see such an elegant gentleman, such a natural leader of fashion, forced to submit himself to such a bourgeois state as economy.

The Prince laughed. 'Oh, I am not so extravagant as I believed myself to be.'

'I don't like it, cousin. In fact I feel ashamed to have so much and to see you with so little.'

'Monsieur le Due, you have a kind heart, I see.'

'I should have a happy one if you would allow me to offer you a loan which would wipe out a good proportion of your debts.'

The Prince thought how pleasant it would be to snap his fingers at his father and Mr. Pitt and avail himself of this offer.

He hesitated and Orleans was quick to see this.

'Come! What is a little money, between cousins?' I would not wish to inconvenience you in the least.' 'Inconvenience! It would give me the greatest pleasure.'

Sheridan came riding down to Brighton to call on Maria.

'Did you know that the Prince is about to accept a loan from the Due d'Orleans?'

'Why, no!' cried Maria.

'I see that you realize the importance of this. He must be persuaded not to accept this. It's a political move on the part of Orleans.'

'The Prince will be (ailing shortly. Wait here and see him with me.'

When the Prince arrived he was pleased to see his dear friend Sherry and glad that he got on better with Maria than Fox did.

'Sherry is anxious about this money you arc proposing to borrow from the Due d'Orleans,' said Maria.

The Prince laughed. 'Is it not an excellent idea to allow the Frenchman to help me out of my difficulties? Imagine my father's r^ge when lie knows that I have not to beg to him any more.'

'Your Highness,' said Sheridan, 'this is a member of the French royal family. I have already heard of the money he is now raising in France. This would be taken to amount to a loan from France. Your Highness will see that it would be quite impossible for you to take it.'

The Prince was startled and Maria, watching, thought he looked like a child who has had a promised toy suddenly snatched from him.

'Why?' he demanded.

'Because, sir, the Due of Orleans is a political figure. He does not offer you this money entirely out of friendship. There is a great deal of unrest in France at this time and it would seem that there is trouble ahead. It may be that the Due has plans ... plans which might involve this country. Your Highness is apt to forget, if I may be so bold as to say so, the importance of your position. I must tell Your Highness that both Fox and

Portland consider it most unwise of you to accept this loan.'

\So it is being discussed already?'

4 In France, Your Highness, as well as in this country. I know now that with your sound good sense you will see the danger of putting yourself so deeply in debt to France through the Due d'Orleans.'

Maria said: 'Sherry is right, I feel sure.'

The Prince smiled and nodded. 'Of course. I see it all. But...'

'Your Highness,' said Sheridan hastily, 'Charles has sent a message to you. Be patient for a little longer. He plans to bring your affairs up in Parliament very shortly. He is ready for the attack and he says the signs are good. There is victory ahead.'

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