The Drunken Feathers

Scene XVI

(FOX, panting heavily, runs down Pall Mall as snow falls heavily from the night sky. The streets are slick with snow and FOX nearly slips a few times. As he approaches Carlton House, he can see the PRINCE OF WALES preparing to leave in his carriage.)

FOX

Your Royal Highness! Your Royal Highness, I implore you to wait a moment!

(As the PRINCE OF WALES is being helped into his carriage, FOX runs up the driveway. The PRINCE OF WALES is annoyed but acts pleasantly surprised. Now at the carriage, FOX rests his hands on his knees and tries to speak between heavy breaths.)

PRINCE OF WALES

Charles! To what do I owe the pleasure?

FOX

(Speaking rapidly, desperate)

I hope Your Royal Highness does me the justice to believe that it is with the utmost reluctance I trouble you with my opinion unmasked at any time, much more so upon a subject where it may not be agreeable to your wishes.

PRINCE OF WALES

I cannot imagine what that might be, but I should be happy to discuss it with you next week.

FOX

Please, sir, give me leave to speak but for a minute! I was just told that Mrs. Fitzherbert was arrived; and if I had heard only this, I should have felt unfeigned joy at an event which I knew would contribute to Your Royal Highness' satisfaction. But I was told at the same time that, from a variety of circumstances which had been observed and put together, there was reason to suppose that you were going to take the very desperate step—pardon the expression—of marrying her at this moment.

PRINCE OF WALES

Charles...

FOX

If such an idea be really in your mind, and it be not now too late, for God's sake let me call your attention to some considerations which may possibly have the more weight with you, when you perceive that Mrs. Fitzherbert is equally interested in most of them with yourself.

PRINCE OF WALES

If you insist, but I really...

FOX

In the first place, you are aware that a marriage with a Catholic throws the prince contracting such marriage out of the succession of the Crown. Surely, sir, this is not a matter to be trifled with, and Your Royal Highness must excuse the extreme freedom with which I speak, but consider the circumstances in which you stand: the King not feeling for you as a father ought; the Duke of York professedly his favorite, and likely to be married agreeably to the King's wishes; the nation full of its old prejudices against Catholics, and justly dreading all disputes about succession. In all these circumstances your enemies might take such advantage as I shudder to think of; and though your generosity might think no sacrifice too great to be made to a person whom you love so entirely, consider what her reflections must be in such an event, and how impossible it would be for her ever to forgive herself.

PRINCE OF WALES

Have you finished?

FOX

With respect to Mrs. Fitzherbert, she is a person with whom I have scarcely the honor of being acquainted, but I hear from everybody that her character is irreproachable and her manners most amiable. Your Royal Highness knows, too, that I have not in my mind the same objection to intermarriages with princes and subjects, which many have. But under the present circumstances, a marriage at present appears to me to be the most desperate measure for all parties concerned that their worst enemies could have suggested!

PRINCE OF WALES

(Annoyed)

May I speak, sir?

(FOX nods and bows as he finally recovers his breath.)

PRINCE OF WALES (cont.)

(Friendlier)

My dear Charles, your words afford me more satisfaction than I can find words to express, as it is an additional proof to me—which, I assure you, I did not want—of your having that true regard and affection for me, which is not only the wish, but the ambition of my life to merit.

FOX

Yes, but...

PRINCE OF WALES

Make yourself easy, my dear friend. Believe me, the world will soon be convinced that there not only is, but never was, any ground for these reports, which of late have been so malevolently circulated. I think it ought to have the same effect upon all our friends that it has on me—I mean the linking us closer to each other. And I believe you will easily believe these to be my sentiments; for you are perfectly well-acquainted with my way of thinking upon these sorts of subjects. When I say my ways of thinking, I think I had better say my old maxim, which I ever intend to adhere to—I mean that of swimming or sinking with my friends. I have not time to add much more, except just to say that I shall forevermore remain loyal to you and the Whigs, not only as a political ally, but as a most sincere and devoted friend.

(Beat)

Does that explanation satisfy your nerves?

FOX

I suppose it must, for my sake and yours. I hope you will forgive me for doubting you.

PRINCE OF WALES

My dearest friend, there is nothing to forgive. I am glad to have cleared up the matter up between us. Now, I really must be off if I am to reach Brighthelmstone before midnight.

FOX

Yes, well...

(Beat, suspicious)

I thought Your Royal Highness was traveling to Kent.

PRINCE OF WALES

(Hiding his anxiety)

I had intended to, but the Duke of Cumberland wished to see me, so I was forced to alter my plans.

(To SERVANT #1)

Send for a carriage to take Mr. Fox home.

(SERVANT #1 bows and exits.)

FOX

Sir, if I may...

PRINCE OF WALES

(Brusquely)

Goodnight, Charles.

FOX

(Bows)

Your Royal Highness...

(The PRINCE OF WALES uneasily tips his hat to FOX, then signals for the driver to drive on. The carriage drives off into the snowy night as FOX watches helplessly. Inside the carriage, the PRINCE OF WALES pulls a ring out of his pocket and studies it with some anxiety. Cut to credits. End of Episode III.)