So the King stayed at the side of Lady Sarah during most of the evening, now and then being forced, reluctantly it was obvious, to do his duty and dance. But he lost no time in returning to her chair. In fact, so absorbed was he that he remained talking to her until one o'clock, quite forgetting that the dancers were waiting for him to end the ball.

No one was in any doubt after that birthday ball of the King's feelings for Sarah Lennox.

There was jubilation at Holland House.

'The King,' said Lady Caroline, 'is surely on the brink of a declaration.'

The Princess Augusta was sighing with relief. She sent at once for Lord Bute. Colonel Graeme had reported that a marriage of the King of England and his sister Charlotte Sophia would be very acceptable to the Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and also to Charlotte Sophia's mother the Dowager Grand d.u.c.h.ess. The Colonel described the Princess's appearance as pleasant (which implied that she was no beauty) and added that in his opinion she appeared to be a bride in every way suitable for His Majesty.

'There must now be no delay,' said the Princess. 'We must talk to George.'

Bute agreed and Augusta asked her son if he would call on her as she had something of great importance to say to him.

George arrived, having no notion of what was to be discussed, but Augusta did not leave him long in doubt.

'My son,' she said, 'it is time you were married.'

George smiled happily. 'I myself have been thinking that.'

'There has as yet been no coronation,' went on the Princess.

'No. I wished my Queen to share in it.'

'That will be excellent and we have found a very suitable bride for you.'

George was silent, and the Princess glanced at Bute who said quietly: 'Colonel Graeme reports from Mecklenburg-Strelitz that the Princess Charlotte Sophia will be an ideal bride for you and she and her family are eager for the marriage.'

'This... is impossible.'

'It is highly suitable,' said his mother sharply.

'You do not understand,' said the King. 'I have already decided.'

'Then I trust you will think again, for this is of the utmost importance.'

'I have pondered a great deal on this matter. I love the Lady Sarah Lennox and she loves me.'

'Are you sure of that, Sire?' asked Bute gently.

'Sure of it! I am never more sure of anything.'

The Princess was about to speak but Bute looked at her and she nodded, implying that he must direct the way this painful interview should go.

'Sire,' said Bute in his kindest and most tender voice, 'a little while ago that young lady was making it very clear that she preferred another gentleman to you.'

'That was not so. She was merely... amusing herself.'

'Amusing herself? When the King had shown preference for her?'

'I did not wish her to regard me as a King but as a man.'

'She clearly did neither,' retorted the Princess tartly. 'She treated you like a foolish boy and I must say that you have behaved like one to allow her to flout you, use you to attract this young... young rake... and then beckon you when she finds he has done with her!'

'This... this is not so.'

'The King is clearly deeply affected by Lady Sarah,' said Bute gently.

George turned to him. Best of friends! Always reliable! He would understand and help him to explain.

'And in that case,' said George, 'since we love each other would it not be desirable for us to marry?'

'I fear,' Bute reminded him, still in the same kind voice, 'it would not be desirable from the nation's point of view. You see, Sire, you are a King. You are young and have not until now been brought face to face with your obligations. Your marriage is not your own affair. It is the nation's. Every King or Queen has to face this problem. It rarely happens that what they desire is what the nation needs. It is the sad side of a ruler's life. Self-sacrifice. Again and again he must pa.s.s by what he desires to give his country what it needs.'

George was beginning to lose his confidence. 'But why should the nation not want Sarah?'

'A King's sons and daughters must be royal,' said the Princess. 'They should have royal blood on both sides.'

'Sarah is royal,' cried George eagerly.

The Princess laughed. 'Yes, descended from a wh.o.r.e!'

George flushed as though he had been struck. 'I beg of you, Madam, do not say such a thing.'

'I am concerned with the truth,' retorted his mother. 'We all know where the Richmonds got their t.i.tle. Through Louise de Keroualle, sent from France by the King of that country to be his spy and the King of England's mistress. That at least is common knowledge.'

'You... can scarcely blame Sarah.'

'I do not blame her. I merely say she is unfit to be Queen of England. George, be reasonable. The people of this country are waiting for an announcement of your marriage. They expect you to marry. They are growing impatient. And they expect you to make the right marriage.'

'I am sure I am the best judge...'

The Princess said hotly: 'As you were the best judge in that disastrous matter of the Quaker girl.'

George caught his breath in horror. He could not bear to think of Hannah. When he did so he was overcome by feelings of remorse and inadequacy.

Lord Bute was at his side, laying a gentle hand on his arm.

'Your Majesty,' he said softly, 'that affair is done with. May I speak frankly?'

George nodded.

'Your Majesty should not feel remorse over that affair. It was true there were difficulties... but there need not have been. Had you consulted me in the beginning, I could have arranged matters satisfactorily for you and there would have been no trouble. Your Majesty is good and honest and my heart rejoices to see it but the world is full of scheming men and women...'

'Sarah is not scheming.'

'Indeed no. She is an enchanting young girl, unsure of her mind, it is true, flitting from one to the other, unable to come to a decision... a delightful creature. But she is surrounded by ambitious men and women who will seek to guide you through her and separate you from your true friends.'

'You mean yourself...'

'Myself and Her Highness, your mother.'

'No one would ever do that.'

'I am sure Your Majesty would not allow it, but they would attempt it. In the interests of the country, Your Majesty should accept the Princess Charlotte Sophia... and...'

'And Sarah?' whispered George.

'If she truly loved you she would consent to become your mistress. Other women have had to take a similar decision. It would be a test of her love.'

'I should not ask her to. I should not care for such an a.s.sociation. When I marry I intend to be a faithful husband. I intend to set an example to my people.'

'n.o.ble sentiments, and they do Your Majesty credit. You can set the pattern of your Court and I know you will do it. Profligacy, so rife in the last reign, will disappear and it will be due to our King. That is magnificent. But you must have a woman who will help you in this. There must be no uncertainty after marriage. No wandering out by night to confer with other men... nothing of that sort.'

'It was only mischief.'

'There must be no mischief. Your Majesty, I beg of you listen to Her Highness, your mother. You never had, and never will have, a better friend in the world.'

'Yes, listen to me and listen to my Lord Bute. When have we ever failed you?'

'Never, but...'

'Then heed our words now,' pleaded Bute. 'The country needs this marriage with the Princess Charlotte, and you must give the country what it needs.'

'No,' said the King. 'I have heard enough. I am going to marry Sarah.'

He bowed abruptly and left them.

The Princess was in despair, but Bute was not so despondent.

'Our words have had some effect,' he said.

'What if he goes to Holland House and actually asks for her hand?'

'I do not think he will act so rashly. I shall stay close with him during the next days. I shall bring him to see where his duty lies.'

Augusta felt faintly relieved. Her confidence in Lord Bute never wavered.

When the King rode out from Kensington Palace he pa.s.sed Holland House in the grounds of which Sarah, looking delightful as a country girl in a sunbonnet, was helping to make the hay.

He stopped and spoke to her. How enchanting she was! How wonderful it would have been if he had been a country squire and she the daughter of a neighbour! He could fancy that, on a morning like this.

She looked expectant. Was she hoping he would ask her to marry him?

'I shall,' he told himself a little too defiantly.

He rode on past Holland House. A King had his duties to his people. Hannah had said that. No one had realized that more than she had. She had wanted to keep in the background so that she did not embarra.s.s him.

Hannah had been different a Quakeress and niece of a linen-draper. Sarah had royal blood in her veins and they could say what they liked, it was royal blood by whatever means it had got there.

I shall not listen to them, George insisted. I am going to marry Sarah.

Not listen to Lord Bute, his best friend, whose advice he constantly sought? Lord Bute was so certain that it would be wrong to marry Sarah.

This was one instance where Lord Bute was wrong.

But Lord Bute had never been wrong... until now.

It was noticed that the King looked very melancholy as he rode along.

Bute came to the King's apartment, his manner grave.

'Your Majesty, I have just heard news which disturbs me.'

'What. Is it Sarah?'

Bute shook his head. 'A man named Green was arrested at Westminster for making disloyal comments about Your Majesty.'

'I'll dareswear he is not the only one. There were disloyal comments enough about my grandfather. Why should I escape?'

'These, Your Majesty, were directed against your relations.h.i.+ps with... a Quakeress.'

'What?' cried the King turning pale.

'I heard that this man had talked of your enticing the Quakeress from her home and setting her up in a house where you visited her.'

'Is that... so?'

'Your Majesty will see how unhealthy it is that such rumours should be allowed to grow.'

'But... will they grow?'

'Yes, Your Majesty, unless you marry and show the people that you live respectably with your Queen.'

'It is what I intend to do.'

'There would be a scandal if you did not marry the bride who has been selected for you. Colonel Graeme is already negotiating. If you married the Lady Sarah all this scandal about the Quakeress would be revived.'

'I do not see why.'

'This man,' Bute went on, 'was fined and allowed to go free with a warning. But there will be others to chatter. We must stop this gossip without fail. And the only way is to marry the Princess who has been chosen for you.'

'No,' said George. 'I will marry Lady Sarah.'