The Duke of Newcastle’s statement is borne out by a curious manuscript, entitled “Memorandum of the conversation between Queen Caroline and Lady Suffolk, upon Lady Suffolk’s retiring from her Majesty’s service, 1734”.[107] This memorandum was probably jotted down by Lady Suffolk soon after her interview with the Queen, and runs as follows:-- _Lady Suffolk_: “Madam, I believe your Majesty will think that I have more assurance than ever anybody had to stay so long in your family, after the public manner his Majesty has given me of his displeasure. But I hope, when I tell you that it occasioned my not waiting sooner upon your Majesty, you will not think it was owing to assurance. I have always had, and I hope I have always shown, the greatest duty and attention for everything that relates to your Majesty, and I could not think it was proper, whilst you were so indisposed, to trouble you with anything relating to me, but I come now, Madam, to beg your leave to retire.” _The Queen_: “You surprise me. What do you mean? I do not believe the King is angry. When has he shown his displeasure? Did I receive you as if you were under mine?” _Lady Suffolk_: “No, madam. If your Majesty had treated me in the same manner as his Majesty did, I never could have had the assurance to appear again in your presence.” _The Queen_: “Child, you dream. I saw the King speak to you; I remember now.” _Lady Suffolk_: “Yes, madam, and his words marked more strongly his displeasure than his silence, before and since.” _The Queen_: “Tell me, has the King really never been down with you since your return?” _Lady Suffolk_: “No, madam. Will your Majesty give me leave to tell what has passed?...”[108] _The Queen_: “Upon my word I did not know it.” _Lady Suffolk_: “I hope you take nothing ill of me....” _The Queen_: “Come, my dear Lady Suffolk, you are very warm, but believe me I am your friend, your best friend. You do not know a court. It is not proper of me to say this, but indeed you do not know a court.” _Lady Suffolk_: “I am very sensible that I do not, and feel I do not; I have had a most convincing proof that I am ignorant. But I am afraid, madam, if I have not got knowledge in twenty years I never shall now.” _The Queen_: “Why don’t you talk to your friends? I always do so. Indeed you cannot judge this for yourself.” _Lady Suffolk_: “Madam, if twenty years’ service has not been able to prevent me from falling a sacrifice to my enemies, would your Majesty have me, by calling in my friends, make them answerable for the measure I shall take, and involve them in my ruin?” _The Queen_: “Child, your enemies want to get you out, and they will be the first to drop you. Oh! my dear Lady Suffolk, you do not know, when you are out, how different people will behave.”