Page:The Queens of England.djvu/570

 5i8 THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND. by the Princess Caroline separated from her husband, and with- out any accusation being made against her character or conduct. But this was now to have an end. There had, indeed, been secret inquiries on foot for as much as two years previous to the period we are about to enter upon, with the view of generating some charge against the princess, which might enable her husband to obtain a formal separation. It became evident that spies were set upon her proceedings, and a visit made by Caroline to Belve- dere, a seat of Lord Eardley's, merely to inspect the grounds and the paintings, had been seized on to furnish a charge. The porter of Belvedere, Jonathan Partridge was sent for by Lord Moira, then a great companion of the prince, and questioned as to her behavior, but with a result totally exculpatory of the princess. This might warn her that opportunity was seeking against her. Early in the year 1806 a secret inquiry was en- tered into respecting the conduct of the Princess of Wales, cer- tain serious charges having been brought against her by Sir John and Lady Douglas, but the result was again a full ac- quittal of the princess. It was clear that Sir John and Lady Douglas were stimulated to their disgraceful attempt by morti- fied vanity, and public resentment was strongly expressed against them. But the animus of the court was shown by Sir John Douglas receiving high military promotion. Being pub- licly acquitted, it was, however, matter of considerable surprise that on the queen's birthday Caroline did not make her appear- ance at court ; nevertheless, in the month of May she was intro- duced to the queen by the Duke of Cumberland, and received the congratulations of the nobility. Again, when the king en- tered his seventieth year, the princess appeared in public, and much attention was attracted by her elegant costume, the style of which reminded every one of Mary, Queen of Scots. Subsequent to this, and notwithstanding that the princess had been acquitted of all blame in the late investigation, and re- admitted to court, she was more than ever restricted in her in- tercourse with her daughter. Even if their carriages met, the coachman of the Princess Charlotte was forbidden to stop, so that the mother and daughter saw little of each other. To re- move the prohibition to their meeting, Caroline herself ad- dressed a forcible appeal to her husband, without, however, ob- taining the redress she expected. Not long after, the Princess Charlotte coming of age repaired to the queen's drawing-room, in company with her mother, it having been privately arranged between them that she should be presented by her. cieing in-