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The Elopement
The meetings were taking place regularly. The closed carriage, the journey with Jane, the ecstatic reunion in the Haymarket; they had become a pattern of life. George loved her. He had said so. He admitted he knew little of life, but one did not have to learn about love; it came to one and there it was the meaning of one’s existence.
They talked of love; of their adoration of each other; it was enough to be sure of their meetings, to touch hands and occasionally kiss. Each was aware of the barriers which separated the niece of a linen-draper and a Prince of Wales; but they did not discuss the matter.
All they asked was to be together.
• • •
Ha
‘What is happening to Ha
Lydia and Mary had been aware of the change before he had, and Lydia replied that she wondered whether Ha
‘She goes often to Ludgate Hill,’ went on Lydia. ‘I suspect that she goes to see Isaac. Perhaps it is time to arrange a marriage.’
‘Isaac is younger than she is and scarcely in a position to marry.’
‘Perhaps if she had a fair dowry...’
‘We have our own daughters to think of. Ha
‘Well, she is twenty-three years of age and that does seem old enough for marriage. It is our duty to see her settled even as our own daughters.’
Henry agreed that this was so and that although Isaac was young and it would be many years before he inherited his father’s business, the Axfords were a good Quaker family and Ha
Henry decided to walk over to Ludgate Hill to have a word with Mr. Axford about his son and Ha
Mr. Wheeler explained that he was not in a position to put up a large dowry for a girl who was after all only his niece when he had daughters of his own to think of. But the young couple were clearly attracted. Ha
‘She comes here rarely,’ said Mr. Axford. ‘Only to order the grocery, and then she is in and out in no time.’
Mr. Wheeler replied that he had been mistaken in that and doubtless Ha
But he was disturbed.
• • •
A few days later he was more than disturbed; he was alarmed. He had followed Ha
It could not be. It was impossible. But such things had happened before. The closed carriage; the secrecy. Only someone in a high place would make such arrangements. In a high place indeed!
Here was...disaster. Here was scandal. His niece Ha
This was disgrace such as had never befallen the Wheeler family before. Death was preferable to dishonour, and Ha
But what? Mr. Wheeler was a shrewd and cautious man. There was no sense in shouting their disgrace to the housetops. If he did, Ha
But there was no sense in publicizing Ha
No one should know of what he had discovered but himself, Lydia and Mary.
• • •
Mr. Wheeler sent for his wife and sister, and when they arrived he shut the door of his sitting room and hade them be seated.
‘I have made a terrible discovery,’ he said. ‘We have a sinful woman under this roof.’
Mary’s heart began to leap about in the most uncomfortable ma
Lydia was equally alarmed. ‘Pray tell us, Henry,’ she said.
‘It is Ha
Mary moaned softly, and Lydia put her hand to her mouth and cried: ‘No. No.’
‘It is true,’ said Mr. Wheeler. ‘She leaves this place in a closed carriage with that wanton Jane who has no doubt led her into this. She goes to a house in the Haymarket to meet her lover.’
‘This is terrible,’ cried Mary. ‘I could wish to die of shame.’
Lydia said: ‘They must be married. It is the only way to rectify the wrong.’
Mr. Wheeler’s lips twisted into a grim smile. ‘Marriage is impossible.’
‘A married man...’ whispered Mary.
‘Unmarried.’
‘Then...’
‘His position prevents his marrying Ha
‘Ha
‘The Prince of Wales, Mary.’
There was a deep silence in the room; then Mary whispered: ‘The Prince of Wales!’ And there was a note of reverence in her voice.
‘The sin does not grow less because of the exalted position of one of the sinful,’ said Mr. Wheeler sternly. ‘All men are equal in God’s eyes.’
‘Amen,’ said Lydia.
‘Amen,’ echoed Mary.
‘This has caused me the gravest concern,’ went on Mr. Wheeler, ‘and I see only one way out of it. Ha
‘The dowry...’ began Lydia.
‘That is not my least concern, but I must find it. I must satisfy Mr. Axford. For of one thing I am certain. There must be no delay.’
There was silence in the room; then Mary began to weep quietly.
‘That I should bring this disgrace to thee, brother, who hast put the bread in our mouths and the roof over our heads
Mr. Wheeler said softly: ‘Everything is in God’s hands, Mary. Let us pray for His guidance.’
They knelt there in the sitting-room, while above them Ha
• • •
It was hardly likely that George could keep his secret. He had said nothing of the wonderful thing which had happened to him but his looks betrayed him, and it was very clear to such an observant man as Lord Bute that something had changed George and he guessed that it was a woman.
He was hurt that George had not confided in him; he was alarmed too, for his hold on the young Prince was obviously not as firm as he had believed it to be. It was imperative that Bute did not lose his influence with the Prince. His whole future depended on it. Augusta was his, and he would continue in her favour; he was sure of that. But Augusta was, after all, only the boy’s mother; and her power, rested on her ability to keep her influence over him. There was one way of losing it; and that would undoubtedly be through a woman. If George transferred his affections to a mistress and if she were a woman of strong opinions, Bute and Augusta could be powerless And George was just the kind to become completely enamoured of a clever woman.