‘You will overcome the difficulty,’ soothed Walpole. ‘A plague on these scribblers.’

So it became a new challenge to lead the King even more skilfully than ever before; and gradually she made a little headway. Her method must be to express an adverse opinion of something she sought to bring about. The King would immediately see its advantages; and once he had committed himself she could agree with him and strengthen his views.

But she did not enjoy being constantly humiliated before the Court. Yet although Walpole’s enemies rejoiced, their exultation was only temporary, because it soon became obvious that the Queen was ready to endure the snubs for the sake of power.


* * *

Walpole came to the Queen.

‘I must speak to you about the Prince of Wales,’ he said. Caroline’s spirits sank. ‘Is that necessary?’

‘Very necessary. We cannot keep him out of the country much longer. The Opposition are attacking us for allowing him to remain so long away. They will have the people behind them. The King must be made to see that action should be taken at once.’

‘The King vill never agree.’

‘We must make him agree.’

‘You know the difficulties vich have arisen.’

‘I know Your Majesty always to make light of difficulties.’

She did not answer; and he knew that in this matter she was in complete agreement with the King. She, as much as he, did not want Frederick to come home.

But Walpole was going to insist.

‘It is unthinkable,’ he said, ‘that the Prince of Wales should have reached the age of twenty-one and never have visited the country he will one day rule. Your Majesty will I know realize that there can no longer be any delay.’

The Queen sighed. Life was very difficult. She had had to endure the King’s public slights; and now her friend and ally was going against her wishes.

She wondered how long she and the King could hold out against Walpole and the Parliament. In such a country where the Parliament ruled, it would not be easy, yet she could not reconcile herself to receiving her son.

The Marriage Plot


IN the old Leine Schloss Frederick, Prince of Wales, was wondering why his parents did not send for him. He could not understand the position. When his grandfather was alive it had been reasonable enough. Grandfather had been King of England and Frederick’s father Prince of Wales. As his grandfather was also Elector of Hanover it had seemed natural enough—at least not incomprehensible—that he, Frederick, should remain at Hanover to represent the family. That was his grandfather’s explanation on his visits. But now, his father had been King for over a year and still he was not invited to go to England.