JET. 36.] AND THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE. 2OQ 



were talking the Prince of Orange was announced : she 

 went to him, and desired that I should remain where I 

 was, to hear the result of their conference, which has 

 ended in her positive declaration that she will not leave 

 England noiv, but will avail herself of the discretion- 

 ary power promised her in the contract ; and gave as 

 her reason the situation of the Princess of Wales, whom 

 she thought herself bound in duty not to leave under 

 her present circumstances. He appeared to be very 

 unhappy, but seemed to admit that if Princess Char- 

 lotte adhered to this resolution, the marriage must be 

 off. He begged her to reconsider it, and left the house 

 in much agitation. All this proves that it was the 

 intention to send them immediately to Holland, or 

 to break off the match in case of Princess Charlotte's 

 availing herself of the power given her in the words of 

 the contract. She seems to be quite resolved not to 

 yield, and has promised to let me know the moment 

 this matter is completely ended. I wish you had been 

 in my pocket to have given your advice ; but I think 

 she must not be blamed, for surely she is only consist- 

 ent in requiring to remain in England, and his beha- 

 viour shows that he knew that they meant to send 

 them to Holland immediately. Of course, all this must 

 be quite secret at present. Will it be beneficial or 

 hurtful to the Princess of Wales that it should be 

 known that her daughter insists upon staying in Eng- 

 land upon her account ? I am to meet the Princess of 

 Wales to-night at the play, for she persists in her 

 intention of going there, although Ward wrote to her, 

 and I gave her your opinion also upon that point. If 

 ladies are allowed to go to the Freemasons' Tavern 

 to-morrow, I shall be there. I have sent to ask Lady 



VOL. II. 



