Courting Her Highness_ The Story of Queen Anne - Jean Plaidy [158]
“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