Courting Her Highness_ The Story of Queen Anne - Jean Plaidy [51]
He left his house and strolled out into the London streets, passing unnoticed, for his appearance was insignificant, and he was by no means a handsome man; perhaps that was why he yearned to be noticed. His powers of oratory were marred by a stammer which he had overcome to some extent but which made him appear hesitant; his voice was harsh and cold, his manners formal. Yet he could produce the telling phrase and could confound his opponents in debate. He had developed these qualities because of his disabilities; in the same way his vanity had grown as though to give the lie to his lack of good looks. There was one characteristic which dominated him: That was envy. He could not endure to see others succeed. At the moment he was prepared to use the friendship of Marlborough and Godolphin; but he could not quietly stand aside and see the power and the glory pass him by to fall into their hands.
That, he realized, would come later. In the meantime it would be a wise policy to ingratiate himself with the Marlboroughs, and he did not anticipate much difficulty in arranging this. He had summed up Sarah and she, of course, was the important one. He would flatter her; he would appear to bow to her will. As her greatest desire was to rule everyone, that should please her. He did not think he would have any difficulty in walking in step with Madam Sarah … for a while.
She interested him. How he would enjoy going into battle against her! What an interesting situation! But of course one would work skilfully in the dark … right until the moment when it was appropriate to deliver the fatal blow.
Harley was delighted. Life was becoming interesting.
He turned into a coffee house and as he sat down was almost immediately joined by a young man.
“Ha, Harry,” said Harley. “Pray be seated.”
“Master,” replied the young man with a somewhat affected bow, “you have had good news.”
“Do I then betray myself?” asked Harley with a smile.
Henry St. John was an exceptionally handsome man of about twenty-four. Harley had selected him as the most brilliant of the younger politicians and St. John was a willing disciple, immediately recognizing what the patronage of a man in Harley’s position could mean to an ambitious young man; and determined to make the most of it, he never missed an opportunity of sitting at the feet of the master.
“Only to those who know you well, Master.”
“Well, Harry, you are right. I can see the way ahead more clearly than I ever did before. I have recently returned from Holywell near St. Albans.”
“I heard that you were visiting the Marlboroughs.”
“So that is all over the town?”
“Our most brilliant politician—and the Marlboroughs. Who could fail to prick up ears?”
“So there are speculations, eh? Well, we shall see.”
“You are thoughtful. And, I see, in no mood to impart your thoughts.”
“There are thoughts which should be guarded as closely as state secrets.”
“Those sort of thoughts? Then we should indeed expect great events. But you are here in a coffee house where one does not expect to find the greatest statesmen of the day.”
“You are wondering why I am not caressing the bottle, Henry? I am a faithful man, but I was never more faithful to any than I am to Bacchus. Is that what you’re thinking? Oh, my boy, don’t imagine I have swerved. But tonight I have a fancy to look at a certain section of our London scene which I believe merits more attention than it usually receives.”
St. John leaned his elbows on the table and looked intently into his friend’s face.
“Develop the powers of observation, Henry, my boy. Have you ever considered the power of words? Ah, I see you have. A man of your er … intelligence … I almost said genius, Harry; but perhaps that is a word which should not be rashly employed. No word should be rashly employed perhaps. Remember, my dear boy, that this is a discussion on the importance of words. Words! Words! They are more powerful than cannon. Have you ever heard it said that Lillibullero won the victory for Dutch William more certainly than his army? In the last few years words