_Lady Suffolk_: “I heard, too, madam, that I was _not_ to come back, and that my business was done at Court. I knew, madam, that I had a mistress who had often told me that she was perfectly satisfied with my services. I felt I had a king, and master, and a friend, (whom I could not, nor ever will, suspect of injustice) who would not punish me without I was guilty, and I knew, madam, I had done nothing. But still these reports must now make me think his Majesty’s public neglect could not escape any bystanders, and I know it was remarked, for my brother came on Thursday morning and asked if it were true that the King took no notice of me since I came from the Bath.” _The Queen_: “Well, child, you know that the King leaves it to me. I will answer for it that all will be as well with you as with any of the ladies, and I am sure you can’t leave my service then.” _Lady Suffolk_: “Really, madam, I do not see how it is possible for me to continue in it. I have lost what is dearer to me than anything in the world. I am to be put upon the footing of the Duchess of R---- or Lady A----, and so by the public thought to be forgiven of some very grave offence because I have been your servant twenty years. No, madam, I never will be forgiven an offence that I have not committed.” _The Queen_: “You won’t be forgotten. This is indeed the G.L. (_sic_) why I am forgiven.” _Lady Suffolk_: “Madam, your Majesty and I cannot be named together. It is a play of words for your Majesty, but it is a serious thing for me.” _The Queen_: “Why, child, I am the King’s subject as well as you.” _Lady Suffolk_: “Madam, what I mean is what I cannot make your Majesty understand unless you are pleased to lay aside the Queen and put yourself in my place for some moments. After twenty years to be ill-treated without knowing your crime, and then stay upon the foot of the Duchess of A----!” _The Queen_: “Upon my word, Lady Suffolk, you do not consider what the world will say. For God’s sake, consider your character. You leave me because the King will not be more particular to you than to others.” _Lady Suffolk_: “Madam, as for my character, the world must have settled that long ago, whether just or unjust, but, madam, I think I have never been thought to betray his Majesty, or to have done any dishonest thing by any person whatever, and I defy my greatest enemies (your Majesty owns I have such) to prove anything against me, and I cannot and will not submit to anything that may make that believed of me.” _The Queen_: “Oh! fie! Lady Suffolk, upon my word that is a very fine notion out of _Celia_, or some other romance.” _Lady Suffolk_: “This may not be a very great principle, but I think it is a just one, and a proper one for me to have.” _The Queen_: “I will send you down one. Come, you love figures. Let me persuade you two-thirds. Go down and think of this. There are people who want to get you out of Court; they will be the first to drop you.”