“I am unwilling to believe that she will disregard her father's dying injunctions,” said the prince. “Bear in mind that she has never seen me. When we meet, the voice of natural affection will make itself heard. She will then become sensible of the great wrong she has done me, and hasten to make atonement. She will feel that by her wicked and unnatural conduct she has incurred Heaven's displeasure. Her own children have been taken from her. Other severe chastisements may follow, if not averted. These are the arguments I shall employ.”
“And they will fail in effect, my liege, because her heart is hardened, and she is blind to her sinfulness,” said the priest. “She would rather sacrifice her brother than help to re-establish our religion.”
“Trust me, my liege, Father Norham has formed a just estimate of the queen's character,” said Lord Derwentwater. “'Tis vain to appeal to good feelings, where none exist.”
“But I do not believe she is so utterly devoid of natural affection as her conduct would seem to bespeak,” said the prince. “You shall judge from what I am about to tell you. I have solicited a private interview with her in Saint James's Palace, and she has granted my request.”
“Granted it!” exclaimed Lord Dervventwater in astonishment, that was shared by the others.
“Ay,” replied the prince. “My letter was conveyed by a faithful friend, and the answer to it was that her majesty would see me. Nothing more. But that was all I asked. She felt compunction for her ill doing, or she would have refused my request.”
“But how will you obtain admittance to her, my liege?” asked Lord Derwentwater.
“Easily,” replied the prince. “The Earl of Mar will usher me into her presence.”
“This certainly seems favourable, and alters my view of the matter,” said the earl. “Yet it may be a device of Harley to ensnare your majesty. Are you certain that your letter reached the queen?”
“My emissary would not deceive me,” replied the prince. “He is as loyal as yourself.”