Courting Her Highness_ The Story of Queen Anne - Jean Plaidy [152]
The country was ripe for change. This could be the occasion.
Robert Harley advised the Queen to agree to Dr. Sacheverel’s arrest. No harm would come to the man, he assured her; and she would see when he was brought to trial how firmly the people stood for her and the High Church.
“For you and the Church, Madam, should be our first concern,” he told her. “Godolphin obeys Marlborough and Marlborough wants war, because, Your Majesty, Marlborough is brilliant at war. It is a sad state when one can only buy one’s glory with the blood of others. Let the people see how this servant of the Church is treated. It could mean the overthrow of those who work against the Church.”
Anne trusted Mr. Harley. So did Abigail. When he had gone they drank tea together—Anne’s laced with brandy—and talked about the brilliance of Mr. Harley and how they were sure that given the opportunity he would rid the Queen—and the Church—of those whose self-interest made them the enemies of both.
Mr. Harley was right. Mobs were parading the streets demanding the fall of the Government. Sacheverel was the hero of the day and the majority were behind his criticisms of Godolphin. Many a widow and orphan of the great war hated the very sound of Marlborough’s name and did not hesitate to say so. He was the warmonger, who, because he liked playing soldiers, used men and deadly weapons to amuse himself. Not only that, he wanted to be the dictator. A fine state of affairs. There would be battles every day with such a man in power. This war had been costly enough in men and wealth. “Have done with Marlborough!” cried the people. “Have done with war! And down with the Government.”
When the Queen rode to the opening of Parliament that November the crowds cheered her frenziedly.
“Long live the Queen! God save Sacheverel!”
Anne smiled benignly and lovingly on her people; she was different, they noticed, sad and ill at ease. Why? Because she was on Sacheverel’s side. Because she, like themselves, was heartily sick of the Whig Ministry.
When she made her speech she sounded listless.
“She is telling us,” said those who listened, “that she is not with her Government in spirit and that she is merely performing a necessary duty.”
The writers were busy. They thrived on such occasions. All through the country people were alert, watchful of events. There was going to be change.
Mr. Harley with Mr. St. John and others among them were ready for the moment for which they had long been waiting.
Abigail reviewed the situation. She was certain that the Government would soon fall and that Robert Harley would replace Lord Godolphin as the Chief Minister. What a triumph for her!
Everything was going well for her. Sometimes she would lie in bed nursing her baby and telling herself that her life was more satisfying than Sarah Churchill’s. The fact was that Sarah would never be satisfied.
Samuel had come home from the war—different, more mature. She was not sure that this pleased her. Would he be less willing to be led? But temporarily it was a challenge. He was devoted to her and delighted by their child. They would have a boy, he said, next time.
Her brother Jack, quite a seasoned soldier now, was a friend of his; and she enjoyed seeing them together, particularly when Alice came too.
They were often in her apartments. Alice, of course, had been in attendance at the birth of little Anne. In attendance! Abigail mocked herself. I talk like a Queen.
But of course to be Queen’s favourite was next best to being a Queen.
Queen’s favourite! Little Abigail Hill—at the beck of and call of Lady