The Miller's Dance by Winston Graham

Author:Winston Graham [Graham, Winston]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub, mobi
Tags: Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Contemporary, Romance, Sagas, Genre Fiction, Literature & Fiction
ISBN: 0330463373
Google: p1mIzpvpXE0C
Amazon: B005I4UB5W
Publisher: Pan
Published: 2008-11-14T13:00:00+00:00

3

Chapter Four

I

Ross and Demelza supped with the Enyses.

Ross said: 'Yes, I know I deserve all the obloquy for staying away so long but it was a desperate situation. You've no notion. It was not only for Canning's blue eyes that I remained...'

'The obloquy,' said Caroline, 'is of your own imagining. It's just that we prefer you here.'

'All this political manoeuvring.. .Of itself it is embarrassing enough but it would, I believe, have found its own level - nave stabilized itself - had there been a stabilizing influence at the centre, I.e. the Regent. But the Prince was in a dire state and has been all through the negotiations: heavy with drink or laudanum, bursting into tears when asked for some grave decision, almost in convulsions of fear over the letters he has been receiving.'

'Letters from whom?'

'Oh, anonymous. Or signed " Vox Populf. Or "An Enemy of the damned Royal Family". Threatening the same fate as Spencer Perceval if Bellingham died. And then, when he was executed, promising revenge. It's true, of course, that there have been many placards in the north of England offering a hundred guineas for the Regent's head. Some even in the south. It cannot make for an easy mind. But many feared he was going the way of his father.' Ross looked at Dwight. We discussed that possibility once before, you remember. At the Duchess of Gordon's ball.'

I remember,' Dwight said, 'and the painful choices open if in fact the country had two insane monarchs on its hands.'

'Princess Charlotte,' said Caroline, 'a minor, with Uncle William as second Regent. Or would he be third?'

'Has there been talk of an election?' Dwight asked.

'Parliament will be dissolved later this month.'

'And are you quite determined not to seek re-election?'

Ross said: I'm quite determined not to stir from this county again while Demelza is as she is.'

Demelza smiled slightly. 'You see. He is wavering.'

Ross smiled back at her. 'She knows my dilemmas.'

'Make us free of them,' said Caroline.

'They would be tedious. And there would be much retracing of old ground.'

if we cannot bear it we'll serve you notice.'

Silence fell for a few moments. Demelza stirred at a movement of her child.

Ross said: 'Every sensible instinct informs me that I have been a member of parliament long enough. I am not an effective member of the Chamber. Sometimes I have been of use behind the scenes, and sometimes, though rarely, I have been useful in committee. But in the main my justification has been in these commissions overseas. I have felt that they have been of value. But now they are finished. I am getting increasingly lame for the most active work; in any event I have done my share, and I promised myself and I promised Demelza that there should be an end to it. There is no altering that and no wish to alter it.'

Caroline passed a sweetmeat to Demelza.

'Kyou,' said Demelza, and sucked thoughtfully, her dark eyes reflecting some light from the evening window.

Ross said: I told Falmouth last year that I should not be standing for his borough again.

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