"I am far from blaming Miss Burney," said the amiable Queen. "It has been
a time of gloom for all. I am only considering, from these circumstances
and others I could name, how sharp and severe may be her disappointment
when she hears the news which has reached the Princess Royal."
Such goodness did, I confess, moisten my eyes, for had I been the
commentator, I might have been tempted to say that any little coquetries
were misplaced at a time of national grief, and especially so in Miss
Burney, whose extreme sensibility, somewhat paraded in words, was in its
highest flight as regarded the King's health. Only that morning she had
cried out:--
"What must be the guilt of that implacable country which, in breaking away
from his mild majestic sway, sowed the seeds of the malady which reduced
the best of kings and men to a condition where this fell disease could
prey upon his overcharged heart and brain! Surely the blessing which
disowns its present cannot attend its future!"
But this is a digression.
"What we are to consider, Miss P.," said the benignant Queen, "is how best
to hint this news to Miss Burney so that her mind may be gradually
accustomed. It is to be remembered that, in her confined home circle, she
can have met but few so distinguished and eligible as Colonel Digby. I am
perhaps not wholly free of blame from having introduced her to so new a
sphere. I never contemplated that she would so soon liberate herself from
the control of the Schwellenberg."
Gracious Powers! I, who had once accidentally heard Miss Burney term Mrs
S. "Cerbera," could have told Her Majesty that Miss Burney was the last
person in the world to permit Mrs S., or any other person in the world, to
control her, as might appear by her rejoinders to Her Majesty herself.
"If," said the Princess, interposing with a gentle civility, "such a hint
could be dropped to Miss Burney, it might spare her much pain. She is so
gifted--so high-strung--"
"We leave it to your good heart," said the Queen. "We wish all that is
good to Miss Burney. You will see I cannot commit it to the Schwellenberg.
These literary ladies have high flights, I believe, and are a more fragile
porcelain than ordinary folks. Do your best, my good Miss P., and I shall
be well satisfied."
The Princess sweetly requested permission to retire with me and we were
about to withdraw, when the Duchess of Ancaster entered, and the Queen
informed her of Colonel Digby's supposed engagement. The Duchess laughed
with all her own humour.
"What, Ma'am? Miss Gunning? No, surely Miss Burney! I am Miss Burney's
advocate as regards her just rights and claims. Miss Gunning is but an
interloper.
"I will wager that Miss Burney at last secures Colonel Digby, whatever his
struggles. He is but a bird hovering a few inches above the charming
serpent's jaws, which are open to receive him. I know not how our sex has
ever acquired the reputation of flight, for it has ever appeared to me
that apparent flight was but a feint to encourage pursuit not otherwise
forthcoming. Believe me, Ma'am, that your Majesty will yet see Colonel
Digby overtaken and captured by the united arts of 'Evelina' and
'Cecilia.'"
"Come, Duchess," said Her Majesty, with the little arch smile she
sometimes wears; "you would not have us believe the Duke made a very
desperate race of it, would you?"
"Indeed, Ma'am, I did my part as well as others," the kind Duchess said,
laughing, "and but for my efforts, who knows what indiscretion he might
have committed? Do but consider the late marriages made by noble lords who
shall be nameless! Miss Burney probably is Colonel Digby's destined
saviour, or so believes herself."
So the lively lady rattled on, until I withdrew, following the Princess.
"Pray do your best, Miss P.," she whispered softly at the door. "I feel
for poor Miss Burney--I do indeed. Colonel Digby has been so particular in
his attentions. And her health is never strong."
She sighed as she glided off to join the Princess Elizabeth for their
sketching-lesson. Sure never was such a bouquet of beauty and warm hearts
as these Royal sisters! I know not which I can distinguish more than
another, though perhaps the Princess Royal is my pattern for all that is
excellent and sweet.
I took my doubting way to Miss Burney's parlour. She was writing, as was
her wont. If it were not another novel, it must have been a daily mass of
information to her friends. In all she did seemed a little mystery that
promoted not the unreserve so essential to friendship. Perhaps it might be
a part of the profession of a writer of fiction; but it made itself felt.
She looked up smilingly.
"Pray take a seat, Miss P. I hope your gratifying entry is with good news
of that precious health on which Britain hangs. I hear this black cloud
begins to turn its silver edges."
I agreed, and she then spoke of cheerful details she had had from Lady
Charlotte Finch. It appeared that there were now much longer intervals of
rational quiet. He had alluded to public matters with a piety and reason
the most exalted, which moved all who heard almost to tears. Oh, that
those rebellious subjects beyond the ocean could have heard their Monarch!
Yet why should this be my aspiration when there were rebels, and _filial
ones_, close at hand, to rejoice in his misfortune!
I was about to reply when the door opened without knocking, and Colonel
Digby glided in, with the words:--
"How does Miss Burney? May a friend, a friend of the faithfulest, enter to
make his enquiries?"
He did not perceive me behind the opened door. Miss Burney blushed
visibly, and instantly seeing me, he bowed with his own finished
good-breeding and no sign of discomposure. I sat, as it were on thorns,
until, Mr Smelt entering later, the talk became general and I retreated,
more and more confused at the part expected of me, especially as Colonel
Digby's manner appeared as softly ingratiating as ever. I felt I should
be compelled to sink the truth a while longer and could only hope the
Princess Royal misinformed.
The coolness between Miss Burney and Mrs Schwellenberg about this time
began to be much warmed by many little kindnesses on the part of the
latter as she observed Miss Burney's somewhat careworn brow. It has since
been confided to me that the account given of her by Miss Burney to her
friends was one of uncontrolled malignity; but though my testimony is
humble, it is sincere, and I can describe Mrs Schwellenberg, apart from
her acknowledged devotion to her Royal Mistress, as possessing a much more
kindly heart than Miss Burney would consent to allow her. Her imperfect
knowledge of English often did her an injustice and made it easy to be
witty at her expense. While she thought she saw Miss Burney inflated with
the pride of a caressed and flattered author, and rebelling at the
necessary restrictions of court life, she certainly was watchful and
sometimes disapproving; but in the time of trouble she opened out into an
attention which Miss Burney's candour should have gratefully owned.
Time went on. Our beloved King recovered the use of his invaluable senses,
thus escaping the snares set for him and the Queen by enemies the most
difficult to subdue. This enabled us to return in triumph to Windsor--in
triumph, do I say? No, but ecstasy--a kind of rapture which pervaded the
whole nation, excepting the party of the Opposition. The inhabitants of
every place we passed flooded out to greet their King. The people, stirred
as by an earthquake, broke upon him in a wave of loyalty; and we, who
almost adored him for his private benignity and public virtues, seemed
swept away in the torrent. As for the Queen, what joy sat upon her sweet
but wearied countenance, as she turned her eyes, swimming in tears, upon
him who was the centre of all rejoicing!
I never came so near loving Miss Burney as when one day, in walking with
Her Majesty's little dogs, Badine and Phillis, in the Park, she broke out
into feelings warmly expressed of her sense of what the Queen's conduct
had been during the scenes of agony we had witnessed. For once she forgot
herself nobly, and I shall never forget her countenance as she paused and
said:--
"Indeed, Miss P., when I consider Her Majesty's complicated
suffering,--increased as it was to misery by attacks from quarters whence
only love and duty might have been expected, harassed by politics and
cabals, torn by national and foreign dissension, herself deprived of all
protection, and yet protecting with almost masculine fortitude a beloved
husband and King,--I say with all my heart that to have attained such
heights of courage, resignation, and ability, is much, much more than to
be Queen of England, or possessed of the most shining genius the world
has known. I bow the knee in spirit as in body before a Mistress so truly
Royal."
The generous fire in her voice was quenched by the tears in her eyes. I
grasped her hand, but could not reply. Here was indeed the cry of
sincerity. We walked pensively for some time in the shrubberies, and ended
our airing on the great terrace.
How exquisitely pastoral, yet soul-stirring, is the view from that
majestic height! The towers of Windsor Castle behind us breathing of the
historic past; the Thames unrolling its silver windings below; the
meadows; the roofs of Eton College lifting through the veil of
foliage--can aught on earth surpass it? A distant sound of cheering from
the Eton playing-fields reached us, to announce that some young votary of
athletic games had reached his goal. Over all floated the sunshine. Why
seek foreign shores for recreation which these sylvan bowers, so richly
charged with memories of departed greatness, afford to all?
A quick step on the gravel roused me from these thoughts and, turning, I
saw Colonel Digby proceeding quickly to the Queen's Lodge. To my
astonishment he only bowed hurriedly and went on his way without a word.
Miss Burney looked the amazement she naturally felt; and it flashed across
my mind that here might be the long-sought opportunity. I seized it with a
beating heart.
"We have seen but little of Colonel Digby since the King's recovery," said
I.
"Oh," she replied nervously, "you know the King's attachment to him, and
also the Queen's; they impose on him many important errands to London. We
cannot expect--I should be the last--"
She paused.
"He has many friends in London," I ventured.
"Certainly. A disposition so generous, affectionate, and kind must be
entitled to all the blessings of friendship."
"And even warmer sentiments--" I hesitated.
She turned her face from me, but I could see the perturbation. I would not
for the world that she should misconceive me then. Though feeling to the
full the difficulty of my position, I tried to turn it lightly.
"There is one fair lady in London who is said to have a warmer interest in
His Majesty's recovery, since it enables Colonel Digby to be more constant
in his attendance."
There was a moment's silence.
"You allude to Miss Gunning," she replied coldly. "On the few occasions I
have seen her I have thought her so cool in her likings and sentiments, so
self-sufficient, that I could not think her attractive to a nature so
warm as Colonel Digby's. Nor do I think her mental attainments such as to
render a real friendship possible between them."
"It is difficult," I breathed, "to name the qualities which attract the
other sex. But I have heard certain rumours to the effect that Colonel
Digby finds Miss Gunning attractive."
She flashed her eyes on me with a kind of indignant scorn, as if
suspecting some meaner motive in what I said, and coolly consulted her
watch.
"I too have heard those rumours and their denial. We must return, though I
am loath to quit this enchanting scene. Shall I leave you, or shall we
return together?"
We walked in silence, I feeling I had miserably failed in my commission,
and she discoursing of the national fêtes in prospect, in a way which
bespoke her hurry of spirits.
A few days later, Colonel Gwynn came into waiting, and told us Colonel
Digby was taken ill in London and could not hope to resume his duties for
some time. I saw the concern on Miss Burney's face. We all shared it in a
measure but, alas, her pallor showed but too well how deep the shaft had
pierced.
I was present that evening when she was in attendance on the Queen. Her
Majesty, rousing herself from thought, said somewhat abruptly:--
"I am much displeased with Colonel Digby" (instancing her reasons and
adding): "He will not come here. He has set his mind against coming. For
some reason he cannot bear it. He has been in London in perfect health,
and I have it on good authority that he desired it might not be told
here."
I dared scarcely glance at Miss Burney. She was perfectly white and stood
with her eyes fixed on the ground. The Queen, seeing she had alarmed us,
glided with her benignant grace into another subject. I, who knew her
mind, could perceive what was intended; but to Miss Burney it must have
been a thunderbolt.
Next morning the Princess Royal, coming to my room, lovely in her flowered
sacque, and without her hoop, her curls twisted with rose-hued ribbons,
seemed to cast a radiance before her. She paused at the door, and said
condescendingly: "May I come in?"
I hastened to set her a chair, and after a little indifferent discourse
she said with a touch of melancholy:--
"I think Miss Burney has not been fairly treated. It is the Queen's
opinion that Colonel Digby's conscience prevents his coming hither. We are
to offer our formal congratulations to him and Miss Gunning at the
Drawing-Room. I own I shall present mine with very little heart. Do you
not think, Miss P., that the poor lady should be told the truth? It might
come as a shock, but would be best from a friend like yourself. If all
else failed, I would gladly do it. But indeed, I dare not."
I implored Her Royal Highness not to put herself out. I would be the
messenger.
"That Miss Burney should have been given any pain under our roof, and by
one connected with our service, is very painful to mama, who fully values
Miss Burney's gifts of the mind," added the beloved Princess. "If it is to
be done, however, there is no time like the present, for the news is now
very generally known."
She left me, and with a trembling step I rose to seek Miss Burney's room.
She was seated by the window, a large black hat with ostrich plumes
shading her face, and a muslin handkerchief folded across the bosom. I had
never seen her look so becoming. She was then thirty-seven or-eight years
of age, as I have since learned (for that was then a carefully guarded
secret), but did not look near so much; and her expression, intensely
absorbed, had the pensive sweetness of a day in autumn ere the golden leaf
yet flutters to its fall.
"Miss Burney," I said timidly, "I believe I intrude, but may I ask you to
favour me with the copy of verses you made for Her Majesty on 'The Great
Coat.'"
This was graciously granted, and a seat offered. A light conversation
ensued, and at last, summoning my resolution, I said:--
"We are soon to congratulate an old friend on his approaching nuptials.
Colonel Digby--"
She turned angrily, but restrained herself with a distressing effort. I
continued: "I hear his engagement with Miss Gunning is confirmed."
"I too have heard it," she said haughtily; "I am therefore no stranger to
your news."
She half rose, and taking the hint I hurried away, confident that she
believed me not at all. I met the Princess Royal with Princess Augusta on
my way, and they stopped me eagerly.
"Did you succeed, Miss P.?" asked each fair sister, with such sympathising
faces as made me love them the better, if that were possible. The elder
Princess shook her head sadly.
"Poor, poor lady! I fear he is a very heartless man. I cannot easily
forgive this treatment of one we esteem."
She linked her arm in her sister's, and the two hurried away to attend the
Queen, who was to consider their Drawing-Room robes just then inspecting.
Willingly would I have softened the blow, but fall at length it must!
After the Drawing-Room, it became known to Miss Burney that Miss Gunning
had attended and had been given joy by all the Princesses. The Princess
Royal herself breathed this, with a voice like a dove and her eyes
considerately averted, adding:--
"Miss Gunning was most elegant in a dress of purple gauze and silver; but
I cannot think her beautiful, though some find her manners pleasing.
Colonel Digby was not present."