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And now Colonel Digby was unable to accompany her. She was not sure whether it was due to his duty or for some other reason. Colonel Digby had a way of avoiding duty if he wished to; and Schwellenburg had told Fa
Fa
Very well, thought Fa
Gardeners, she thought. There were always plenty of them working in the gardens. But as she came nearer, to her great consternation, she saw that the men she had mistakenly thought were gardeners were the King with two of his doctors and some attendants.
Fa
And for a few seconds she and the King looked at each other; she saw the sunken cheeks, the protruberant eyes, and she thought of all the stories she had heard about the strangeness of the King. She believed there was only one thing to do: Escape. She turned and fled.
But the King had seen her. 'Miss Burney! Miss Burney,' he called. But she ran on. She could not face him. What if he seized her as he had seized Amelia? What if he said strange things to her? She must escape.
'Miss Burney. Wait for me, Miss Burney. Miss Burney/
But Fa
'Miss Burney,' called one of the attendants. 'Stop. Dr. Willis asks you to.'
'I ca
'Miss Burney, you must. The King will be ill if he runs like this. Stop. Stop, I beg of you.'
Fa
'Why did you run away, Miss Burney?' he asked.
What could she say? I feared your madness? So she did not answer and he came close to her and putting his hands on her shoulders kissed her cheek.
'Now, Miss Burney. I wish to talk to you.' His hot hands were on her arm; he drew her a little to one side; she was thankful to have the doctors and attendants close at hand.
'Ah, Miss Burney, you think I have been ill, eh, what? Yes, I have been ill ... but not as ill as people think. Do you think I have been ill, Miss Burney, eh? what?'
Fa
He began discussing the American Colonies and he went on at great speed with the ehs? and whats? coming thick and fast. And Schwellenburg. He did not think Miss Burney was very happy with that woman. But she was not to be anxious on that account. He would speak to the Queen. And Colonel Digby? He feared that gentleman was a sad flirt ... oh yes, he feared that. Fa
He began to sing, beating time to the music, and his voice which had grown hoarse with all the talking he was doing, seemed to crack suddenly and Dr. Willis said: 4 I beg Your Majesty not to strain your voice. Come along, sir. Do you not think we should go in and allow Miss Burney to continue with her walk.'
'No, no, not yet. I have to speak to Miss Burney. I have much to say to her. I have lived so long out of the world, Miss Burney, that I know nothing. You understand, eh? what?'
Fa
'Miss Burney, I pray you tell me how your father fares. Tell your father that I will take care of him. He is a good and honest man. I will take care of him, Miss Burney. Yes, I will do it myself.'
'Your Majesty is most gracious,' stammered Fa
'Yes,' said the King. 'Folly, folly, folly...'
* Then Your Majesty ...'
'I will say au revolt to Miss Burncy.' And with that he put his hands on her shoulders, drew her to him and kissed her cheek as he had done when at the begi
Fa
The King called over hi: shoulder. 'Do not fear that dreadful woman, Miss Burney. Take no heed of Schwellenburg. You may depend on me. I am your friend. As long as I live I will be your friend. You understand, eh? what? I pledge myself to be your friend.'
Fa
She made her way hastily to her apartments and when she was with the Queen repeated the conversation to her, although she said nothing of the reference to Madam von Schwellenburg.
'His Majesty still acts a little strangely, Miss Burney,' said the Queen, 'but I do believe he is going to get well.'
The Queen was right.
In the Lords the Lord Chancellor rose to declare that in view of the improved state of the King's health it would be indecent to discuss the Regency Bill further.
The King's health improved rapidly; at the begi
The Prince of Wales behaved with absolute decorum and was more cordial to his father than he had ever been before.
The improvement went on apace. The King looked old; his speech was quick and incoherent, but his mind was lucid again.
All the royal family attended the service which was held at St. Paul's as a thanksgiving for the King's recovery. It was April and the clement weather brought the crowds into the streets. As the King's carriage rode by the people cheered wildly. L*
'God save the King,' they cried, throwing hats into the air and waving flags. 'Long life to Your Majesty.'
The King was touched by this devotion. The tears came to his eyes and this show of emotion only made the people cheer the more.
But for the Prince of Wales—silence.
He could not understand it. He was the popular member of the household. He was Prince Charming. Yet the people were greeting him with a sullen silence. It was the first time his presence had failed to rouse cheers.
He was angry. Why? What had he done but ask for that which was his right? Why should they suddenly turn against him?
It was because the people believed—in spite of the denial in Parliamant—that he was married to a Papist. Maria ... and her religion ... were responsible for this.
My dear love, he thought, what I have given up for you!