Queen in Waiting - Plaidy Jean - Страница 50

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"This is the man you have brought here! " cried the Jacobite

speakers. "This man who hasn't learned how to speak our language or even to smile."

And even those who didn't care whether a Guelph or a a Stuart sat in the throne thought the new king was a sour looking fellow.

The guns of the Tower boomed out and the Lord Mayor and City Father greeted the King while the Recorder read his speech of welcome. Then—over London Bridge to St. Pauls where children had been assembled to chant **God Save the King", and flags were waved as the glass coach passed through the triumphal arches; the guns were booming and the bells from every church in London ringing.

Several people were already drunk on the wine which flowed from the fountains, and among the shouts of "God Save the King" could be heard a growl or two.

If the King heard them he gave no sign; he was merely thinking that he would be glad when the procession had passed through his capital city and had reached the comfort of St. James's Palace for then the nonsense would be over. His new subjects were a frivolous lot; he had gathered that much. They were shouting for him now, but they would be shouting for James if he were offered to them; anything for free wine and a day's holiday!

St. James's at last. He was glad it was over. Now for the banquet and more expressions of loyalty and then the comfort of bed.

George Augustus was flushed and triumphant; no doubts there as to his feelings for his new country I Bernstorff was right. He would have to be watched; and when his clever wife appeared even more so.

He listened to the loyal addresses; he presided over a meeting of his Council; and after that to bed.

In the streets the feasting continued. The lights of a hundred bonfires sent a glow into the sky; there was dancing and singing; there were brawls and lovemaking. A typical holiday for the people of the new King's capital who had always chosen any opportunity for making merry except in the days of the Puritans, since when they had been doubly merry to make up for those lost years.

"Long live King George! " sang the Protestants.

"Damn King George," sang the Jacobites.

And, in his new palace, alas many miles from Hanover which he knew now how much he loved, the new King of England serenely slept.

God Save King George

From the deck of the ship which was carrying her to England Caroline had her first glimpse of the land which would be her home and of which, if all went as she hoped, she would be Queen.

She had few regrets for what she had left behind, having caught the Electress Sophia's enthusiasm for this land, compared with which, she fully believed, Hanover was a backward little state. True she had been unable to bring Leibniz but this was the land of Newton, Swift, Addison and Steele—and she would have an opportunity of meeting these men. Here they wrote their satires and their lampoons and through these they moulded public opinion and so had as great an influence on the conduct of the Kingdom as any ruler.

Of this land she would one day be Queen, unless the Jacobites arose and drove them away. The future seemed full of stimulating possibilities.

It was true that she had left two of her children behind. How sad and angry she had been to part from Fritzchen; the parting was so unnecessary. Why should a little boy of seven be

separated from his parents because he must act as the representative of his grandfather and father! How typical of the new King of England to care nothing for the tender feelings between a mother and her son. She would not rest until she had brought Fritzchen to England. And then baby Caroline had become ill just as they were about to depart and it had been thought wise to leave her behind. She would follow soon, but still it was sad to part.

The little girls Anne and Amelia, five and three years old, now stood beside her, excitedly chattering as the land grew nearer and nearer. Anne pointed out the land to her little sister and told her what fun they were going to have in England; Amelia burst into tears now and then when she remembered Fritzchen, but Anne did not care. She was secretly pleased that he was left behind and there would be no one to strut and bully, and call attention to himself. She had explored the yacht Mary on which they were travelling; she had asked questions which had delighted the sailors; and she had shown great interest in the squadron of English men-of-war which had provided their escort.

And now land was in sight. The town of Margate was waiting to welcome them; and after the ten days journey from Hanover it was a pleasure to know that they were nearing the end of their destination.

As the Mary came into the town, crowds had gathered to catch a glimpse of the new Princess of Wales. The people of Margate, who were both fishermen and farmers, rarely enjoyed such excitement and were determined to make the most of it; and the appearance of the newcomers pleased them. The Princess was a stately, comely woman, inclined to be plump but they liked her none the less for that. She was gracious to them and seemed genuinely pleased with their welcome; as for the little girls., they were quite enchanting in their excitement. Here was a lady who would have many children and give the country frequent reasons to celebrate. Poor Queen Anne—good Queen though she was—had been disappointed again and again in her hopes and there had been little cause for rejoicing on her account.

The two little girls squealed their delight in a foreign

tongue, but that would soon be remedied, for England would be their home in future.

They did not stay in Margate for at Rochester the Prince of Wales was waiting to greet his family and it was desirable that the Prince and Princess meet as soon as possible.

So out of the town of Margate rode the Princess and her escort, bowing and smiling to the people with the little Princesses beside her in the carriage, unable to restrain their pleasure.

It was October and the Kent countryside, though not at its best, showed signs of its fertility. Caroline scarcely saw it; she was more interested in the people who had come to give a loyal greeting—a more exuberant people than those of Hanover. They sang and danced to welcome her and some threw flowers at her carriage.

There was no sign on that journey to Rochester that the English were not delighted to have the Guelphs in England although there was one whom some might call the King across the water.

And at Rochester George Augustus was waiting for her.

There in the sight of the crowds he embraced her; he lifted up the little girls and held them to his heart while the crowd cheered. How different was the dapper little Prince of Wales from his sour-faced father who had come riding into England accompanied by two grotesque mistresses, already known throughout the land as Elephant and Maypole; but here was the Prince with his affable smile, greeting his wife and children. And even those who had cried "Damn King George!" had a greeting for the Prince and Princess of Wales.

"It was too long to be parted from you," said George Augustus; and Caroline smiled her pleasure. "My one regret is that Fritzchen and Caroline are not with you."

"Caroline will soon follow."

His face darkened. "But Fritzchen will remain. By God, I'll never forgive him for this."

"Let us talk of it later." It was a gentle reminder that they were being watched, and she added hastily: "I see you have made a good impression."

He was smiling. "You will too." Then he presented the Dukes of Somerset and Argyle to her.

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