Free Abigail's Cousin by Ron Pearse Page B

coffee for all four men and who then
withdrew.
    It took some
time for Mr Harley to thank the proprietor for the chair and be
introduced in turn by Churchill to Godolphin and Spencer, but
finally all the essential courtesies were completed whereupon
Harley addressed Churchill:
    "I understand
my lord, you will soon be taking p-p-packet to Holland."
    "It is so far
then your arrangements for leaving, my lord.” Asked Spencer: “What
day will that be? Have you any idea?"
    Godolphin said
matter-of-factly: "When the Captain-General arrives at Ramsgate.
That will be the day."
    Churchill
chided the speaker: "Not even the captain-general can command the
wind or the waves, dear friend."
    Harley said:
"Whenever you do sail my lord, it will be with the entire support
of the nation, and may I add, in charge of the finest army in
Europe."
    Spencer
growled: "No thanks to some people. The army is but a fraction of
its size in '98 when Parliament saw fit to reduce it by eighty
thousand men."
    Churchill said
gently: "That was not the fault of our friend, here. That was down
to the Tories."
    "Supported by
some Whigs, of which, Mr Harley was one," insisted Spencer though
Harley was not put out insisting: "The reason for my late arrival
was a move in the House for an adjournment to further measures more
to my lord's taste," indicating Spencer with a smile and then
addressing him directly said:
    "We must not
confuse quality with quantity, my lord."
    To forstall
Spencer's retort, Godolphin hurriedly interrupted: "It would be
fair, Charles, to commend Mr Harley in seeking this adjournment. It
is a positive move in our direction."
    "It is often
the case that those who were avid for peace are more convincing
when the need arises to draw the sword for war." Marlborough was
keen to draw Harley into his camp adding yet further praise: "We
are gratified by the more than adequate endeavours of Mr Harley on
our behalf."
    Godolphin
anxious to seal a bargain, declared: "Have no fear, my dear
Marlborough, Mr Harley and I will take the necessary measures for
supplies as and when required, eh Harley!"
    The use of his second name flattered
Harley enormously. Here was an earl and a baron praising his
efforts on their behalf and hoping for more in the future. He was
only too anxious to concur with their good opinion:
    "Indeed, my
lord!" Churchill smiled and then turning to Godolphin said:
    "Might I
suggest my lord that you hold regular meetings with Mr Harley. I
would be very happy to receive any progress reports of such
meetings. Abroad it is very comforting to get reports of any
description relating to matters at home. One feels so cut off."
    All this time
Spencer had been silent. He listened sipping his coffee realising
the pragmatic nature of his friends' wooing of the Speaker of the
House. Nominally a Country Whig and therefore closer to many Tories
than the so-called Court Whigs who had rallied around the late
king, Harley had also the extra bind of feigning neutrality. After
the Treaty of Ryswick, he had backed the move to cut the army
whereas now, in 1702, events were moving the other way, and Harley
went along with them. Unlike himself, Spencer, Harley had not the
revenue of a large estate; only his astuteness kept him solvent.
Nonetheless Spencer was amused by it all.
    Both Godolphin
and Harley realised that Churchill, as gently as only he knew how,
was telling them to keep him informed at all times and on a regular
basis. Godolphin was first and foremost a courtier and now he
raised a matter that had been troubling him lately, concerning his
mistress, his sovereign, Queen Anne. His query was addressed to
Harley:
    "Would it be
possible Mr Harley, Mr Speaker, for both Houses to come to the
palace, or representatives from each House, for you will appreciate
it would be less incommodious to her majesty."
    All present
were aware of Anne's increasing ill-health and each had witnessed
their sovereign in great pain at a recent reception. Yet it was in
this