"That is a hit at me," added Portland calmly.
"And at the King," she said proudly. "There is no end to the spite of these people. Heard you also that Sir John Dalrymple must go for the Glencoe affair?"
"If the Parliament had their way, it would be his head and not his place he lost."
"It seemeth to have been a cruel thing," said Mary, "if it is true? But I am sorry for the Duke of Leeds (Danby he always is to me) for he has been a faithful servant."
"The King would like to employ Sunderland, who lieth quiet at Althorp," said Portland, with some bitterness. "A villain if there ever was one!"
Mary glanced at him anxiously.
"The King doth not love Sunderland," she said, "but might find him useful."
"Will he persuade His Majesty to pass the Triennial Bill?" asked Lady Temple.
"No man can do that," answered the Queen. "If any could have done it, it would have been your lord, a year ago—but nothing will move the King once his mind is resolved." She laughed, and added, "You both have known him longer than I have—tell me if you ever knew him change his decision?"
"Never," said Portland. "When he was a child he was immovable."