He brought his fist down on the mantelshelf so fiercely that the china ornaments seemed likely to leap onto the hearth.
“But I was persuaded, as Mr. Sheridan and Mr. Fox were persuaded too, that His Majesty would help you this time,” Maria pointed out.
“He promised to consider the matter, did he not? I would not have given him a detailed statement of my liabilities unless Mr. Pitt had assured me that he really intended to help me this time.”
Maria sighed.
“I am afraid that His Majesty asked for a detailed statement just because he wanted to know how and who you had spent your money on.”
“God knows that is true enough!” the Prince answered. “It is all part and parcel of his attempt to set me down and make me appear a dissolute waster. That is what he wants me to be. That is what he doe
