Courting Her Highness (59 page)

Godolphin paced up
and down the chamber at Windsor Lodge.

“It’s no use,” he said, “she’ll never give up Masham. You can be sure that our enemies abroad are getting the utmost amusement out of this situation. The Government versus a chambermaid. It is making us ridiculous.”

Marlborough saw the point as Sarah would not. It was for this reason that Godolphin had chosen a moment to speak to the Duke when he was alone.

Ridicule could be a strong weapon in an enemy’s hand. In war an Army needed to have as many points in its favour as could be seized; and none was too small to be ignored.

Godolphin was right; Sarah and Sunderland were wrong. This battle between a Commander-in-Chief of an army and a chambermaid must not be allowed to become a major issue.

“I shall not offer the Queen the ultimatum,” said Marlborough. “I shall write to her though and let her know how mortified I am to be exposed to the malice of a bedchamber woman.”

“This is better,” agreed Godolphin. “For God’s sake don’t drive the Queen into a corner, for in such a position she could become the most obstinate woman alive.”

“We must find other means of dislodging Mrs. Masham,” agreed the Duke sombrely.

“Better secretly than openly. You will go to visit the Queen.”

“I suppose it should be done.”

So Marlborough came to London to see the Queen who received him graciously, anxious to show him that her coolness towards his wife did not extend to him.

This is a victory for Marlborough, said Marlborough’s friends.

But Robert Harley and his friends knew that the triumph was theirs. Marlborough had wanted to force the Queen to a choice between himself and Abigail; and had been afraid of the result. Triumph indeed.

The trial of
Dr. Sacheverel was causing a great deal of excitement throughout London. Anne, who had hoped to attend Westminster Hall incognito, had been recognized by the crowds who had shouted: “God Save the Queen and Dr. Sacheverel.”

Anne, acknowledging the royal greetings, knew that the people were with her and that the anger they obviously displayed was not directed against her but the Lord Treasurer, Godolphin, who had brought the case against Sacheverel, and Godolphin was, of course, a member of that family which was seeking to take over the government of the country.

She believed then that if she dissolved the Whig Parliament the Tories would undoubtedly be returned to power at the next election. This was pleasing to contemplate, for she was heartily tired of Godolphin, and if he were dismissed from his office he would take Sunderland with him … and dear Mr. Harley could form the government he had mentioned to her in their secret conversations. Then there would be no more threats of taking Abigail from her, for Abigail and Harley were very dear friends.

Therefore it was quite pleasant to hear the shouts of the people as she passed through the streets; knowing that although they were threatening to riot for the sake of Sacheverel, they had no quarrel with their Queen.

In the hall she made her way to the curtained box from which she would watch the trial, and she saw that one of the ladies in attendance was the Duchess of Marlborough. What a nuisance that woman was! She immediately disturbed Anne’s peace of mind although, the Queen noticed, not without pleasure, she was a little more subdued on this occassion, no doubt being fully aware of the anger of the people against her party.

But it was not in Sarah’s nature to be subdued for long. Very soon she was fussing as to whether the ladies should stand or sit and even went so far as to approach the Queen to remind her that the trial was likely to be long and that she had not given her ladies the required permission to sit.

“By all means, sit,” said Anne coolly, without glancing at the Duchess.

Sarah saw the glances which were exchanged between several of them, and the colour heightened in her cheeks. It was difficult to restrain her fury.

When she saw that the Duchess of Somerset did not however sit, but took up her stand behind the Queen’s chair, Sarah approached her imperiously. “And why, pray,” she demanded, “do you not sit since Her Majesty has given the permission to do so?”

“I do not care to sit,” replied the Duchess of Somerset, and added: “In her Majesty’s presence.”

“Is Your Grace implying that I am ignorant of Court procedure?” Sarah’s voice was high pitched and audible.

“I imply nothing,” answered the Duchess of Somerset. “I merely say that I prefer to stand.”

Sarah sat down on her stool, glowering.

Oh dear, thought Anne, how pleasant it would be if I could be rid of that woman.

The trial lasted for
several days and on each day the Hall was crowded. All the members of Parliament were present and as the Hall was full to
overflowing those who could not obtain admittance filled the streets about the building.

With each day it became clearer with whom popular sympathy lay. The people who had taken the Queen to their hearts declared that she was with them on the side of Sacheverel against the Whig ministry led by Godolphin and supported by the Marlborough faction. This was more than the trial of Dr. Sacheverel. The fate of the government was at stake.

When at last Sacheverel was found guilty of the charges brought against him, he was given such a light sentence that his supporters took this as a victory for them. He was simply forbidden to preach for three years and his sermon was to be burned before the Royal Exchange in the presence of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London and Middlesex.

That night the bonfires were lighted and there was great rejoicing in the streets.

he sound of carousal could be heard in St
. James’s Palace. Abigail smiled secretly as she ministered to the needs of the Queen.

Dear Masham! thought Anne, I should like to honour her with a title, but if I did, could I expect a lady of rank to do the menial tasks she does for me? I do not want any change. I want everything to be as it is now between us.

“There is excitement in the streets tonight, Madam.”

“Yes, Masham. The people regard this as a victory for Dr. Sacheverel.”

“And for Your Majesty. They have linked you with him. So often I have heard them shout, Long Live the Queen and Dr. Sacheverel.”

“He stands for the Church and I do not believe my present Government has the good of the Church at heart.”

“Your Majesty will doubtless soon have a new Government.”

“I have had petitions from the people to dissolve the present Parliament.”

“Bringing Dr. Sacheverel to trial has ruined them,” added Abigail.

“I shall seek an early opportunity of dissolving Parliament so that the people will have a chance of electing the Government they want.”

Abigail was exultant. This would be good news for Robert Harley and she would convey it to him at the earliest possible moment, although, of course, he knew, for the outcome was inevitable.

“Play to me for a while,” said the Queen. “I have a fancy for a little music.”

So Abigail went to the harpsichord and played the Queen’s favourite Purcell airs, but as she played there was such a sound of conversation from the ante-room that she stopped and, turning to the Queen, saw that she had fallen asleep.

Abigail went to the ante-room where she saw Lady Hyde and Lady Burlington laughing together.

Abigail said: “The Queen is sleeping.”

A short while ago they would have resented the intrusion, now they knew that a word from Abigail to the Queen could do them much harm so they smiled ingratiatingly at her and asked her if she had heard of the Duchess of Marlborough’s latest impertinence towards Her Majesty.

“I have not,” answered Abigail, “and should like to hear it.”

“Well,” said Lady Hyde. “Lady Marlborough was acting as sponsor at christening with the Duchess of Somerset and Lady Somerset suggested naming the child Anne. And what do you think Madam Sarah said to that? ‘There was never anyone good for much of that name. I’ll not stand for a baby named Anne!’ ”

“How dare she!” cried Abigail.

“Sarah would dare anything. Did you not know that?”

Mrs. Darcey, one of the palace ladies, came into the room, just as Anne, awaking and missing Abigail, called to her.

“Masham,” said the Queen, when Abigail entered, “you look disturbed. Is anything wrong?”

“I am just angered, Madam, by a further impertinence of the Duchess of Marlborough.”

“What is this?”

“It is just another rudeness, Madam. Scarcely worth the notice.”

“Nevertheless I would hear.”

Abigail told the Queen of the christening incident.

“That woman is continually showing her lack of respect and animosity towards me,” complained the Queen. “I’ll not endure much more of it.”

Mrs. Darcey, who overheard the last remark, went to Sarah and told her what had been said.

“You see,” cried
Sarah to John, “there is continual tittle-tattle against me.”

“But what of this christening matter?”

“I was there,” admitted Sarah.

“And you made this remark?”

Sarah put her head on one side. “I was joking about the occasion when the Duke of Hamilton christened his boy Anne—hoping for royal favour, of course—and I said since this was a girl, why not, after the fashion set by Hamilton, make a boy of her and call her George.”

“It might be a good plan if you could see the Queen and explain this.”

“My dear Marl, I am heartily sick of playing the humble supplicant to that woman.”

“But the Government is in danger of falling. If you could regain your old friendship with the Queen we could recover all that we have lost.”

“It seems ridiculous to have been pushed aside for that chamberwoman.” Sarah’s eyes were glinting. “She
shall
see me. She shall. I shall explain to her and she will have to take notice.”

Marlborough laid a restraining hand on his wife’s arm. “My love, be careful. You can do it … if you will. But you must curb your tongue.”

Sarah’s lips were firmly set, but Marlborough’s misgivings were great.