Queen in Waiting - Plaidy Jean - Страница 45

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The two ladies went into the palace where George Lewis was receiving the courier, and waited for a while in Sophia's apartment, but as George Lewis sent no message, they went along to George Lewis's apartment.

He looked surprised to see them and barely greeted them, but Sophia was far too anxious about the news from England to care.

"What news is there?" she demanded.

"There is a letter from Queen Anne," muttered George Lewis.

"From the Queen. What does she say?"

"She is annoyed because of these suggestions to send George Augustus to England. She doesn't want him."

"She doesn't want to see George Augustus! "

"Strange as you think it, she doesn't. In fact she hints that if any of our family set foot in England while she is alive she will alter the succession."

Sophia gasped. "I don't believe it."

George Lewis went to his table and picking up a document handed it to his mother.

She read it and grew pale. It was exactly as he had said. She was feeling faint and gripped the table to support herself. Nothing seemed safe and secure.

The throne which had seemed so near had begun to recede. So much depended on the whim of a woman who should have been dead long ago but who obstinately clung to life.

She could in a moment destroy all their hopes; and surely if they were to inherit the throne they should be in England now.

George Lewis said to her with more tenderness than he usually displayed: "Sit down. You look a little shaken."

She sat down, still holding the letter. She tried to read it through again, but the writing danced before her eyes.

George Lewis was watching her intently. She handed the letter to him.

**I felt a little unwell for a moment or two," she said. "I am all right now."

Sophia sat in her apartments at Herrenhausen writing a letter to her niece, the Duchess of Orleans, the most notorious scandal-monger at the French Court. It was a habit of Sophia's to write to this niece whenever she was particularly disturbed and even though she realized that Elizabeth Charlotte was completely mischievous and what she wrote would be discussed freely at the French Court, she could never resist writing to her. The letters were a safety valve for one who had so often been forced to curb her true feelings.

She was smiling as she wrote, telling her niece how badly the Queen of England was behaving, first by being so long in dying, secondly by flirting with the idea of placating her conscience and naming her half-brother as her successor. And here she was, at Herrenhausen, when she should be at the Court of St. James. George Lewis was worse than usual—a .crude German boor who had never tried to learn English and had no love for England, the country she hoped he would one day rule; followed by George Augustus, who really had some sense since he had managed to make friends with a number of English people and had married a very sensible wife whom Sophia was sure would guide him through any difficulties which lay ahead.

Something must happen soon. Queen Anne could not live for ever.

Caroline came to her apartments accompanied by one of Sophia's women, the Countess von Pickenbourg.

"I thought you might care to take a walk," said Caroline.

"Excellent idea," replied Sophia. "As you know full well I'm always ready for that. If people walked more then we would enjoy better health." She rose smiling. She would finish the

letter later. "I have lived so long because I have walked every day in the fresh air ... never as a task, mind you, but always as a pleasure. Give me your arm, Caroline, my dear."

Caroline obeyed and the Countess stood on the other side of the Electress.

"Let us walk in the orangery," said Sophia. "I always enjoyed the orangery, and I think it is particularly beautiful on a summer's evening."

As they came into the orangery, Sophia began to talk, as usual of England.

"I should like to know what the people of England think of Anne's refusal to invite us. Surely they would wish to see us there."

"The Queen's health is even worse than usual, so I believe," replied Caroline. "But slie has been on the point of death so many times."

"Poor soul!" sighed Sophia. "I am sorry for her. Hers has scarcely been a happy life. As a girl she was so delicate. Why, when her sister Mary was being married to Orange, she was on the point of death through the smallpox. She has faced death so many times that she must be prepared. How grateful / am for my good health. I hope death, when it comes for me, will snuff me out like a candle. That's the best way."

"I believe it to be the best way," agreed Caroline. "What a pity we cannot all choose our way of going. But the subject is a morbid one. If Marlborough were here he might be able to give us some news, although I confess I don't altogether trust Marlborough."

"There are very few one can trust, alas," said Sophia. "I am fortunate to have you here with me, my dear. I can talk openly to you of these matters which are of such importance to us all. I only wish I could feel so confident of everyone. These are difficult times ... and full of significance for our house. Once I am in England everything will be so different. How I long to be there! "

"It can't be long now," said Caroline.

"Perhaps Your Highness would care to sit a while," suggested the Countess.

"No, I prefer to walk. As I have often told you there is noth-

ing so good for the health as walking. What a beautiful day it has been."

Sophia was silent suddenly for through the greenery she had caught a glimpse of George Lewis walking in the gardens with Schulemburg on one side and Kielmansegge on the other.

She sighed. "What a spectacle! Are there two more unattractive women at this Court. But I suppose when they first became his mistresses they were more attractive."

"The Elector is faithful, according to some standards," replied Caroline.

"I prefer the tall malken to the fat hen. The first is at least faithful to him. I don't understand my son. I never did since he was three years old. Sometimes I think he is a clever man, at others a fool."

"There are so many different sides to all of us," said Caroline; and she was thinking of Sophia—so discreet at Hanover, so reckless in her correspondence with Elizabeth Charlotte; so restrained in the matters concerning the Court of Hanover; so transparent in those concerning the Court of St. James's. A woman with a single purpose-—to be Queen of England. Perhaps that was the explanation of every action.

"Take care," said Caroline, suddenly realizing that Sophia was growing very breathless. "You are going too fast."

"I daresay I am," replied Sophia.

"Your Highness," began the Countess and stopped for Sophia had swayed towards her. Between them the Countess and Caroline caught her.

"Help me to get her to a chair," said Caroline quickly; but even as she spoke she felt the Electress's body limp in her arms.

Tenderly they lowered her to the ground; she lay back, an odd pallor in her cheeks, her eyes turning glassy.

"Call for help ... quickly," cried Caroline; and the Countess ran out of the orangery into the grounds.

As Caroline knelt beside Sophia a terrible desolation came to her. "Can you ... speak to me ..." she whispered.

Sophia's glassy eyes were on her face ... fixed ... lifeless.

You must get well, thought Caroline. I can't lose you as well

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