_Her_ power would, after all, not have followed in its fall that of Walpole. Lord Hervey remarks, that had he retired, Caroline would have placed before the King the names of a new ministry, and that the administration would not have hung together a moment after it had outlived her liking. In the meantime her indefatigability was great. At the suggestion, it is supposed, of Walpole, she sent for the Bishop of Salisbury, Dr. Hoadly, who repaired to the interview with his weak person and stately independence, if one may so speak, upheld by his ‘crutched stick.’ His power must have been considered very great, and so must his caprice; for he was frequently sent for by Caroline, remonstrated with for supposed rebellion, or urged to exert all his good offices in support of the crown. It is difficult to believe that the lengthy speeches reported by Hervey were actually delivered by Queen and bishop. There is nothing longer in Livy, and we are not told that any one took them down. Substantially, however, they may be true. The Queen was insinuating, complimentary, suggestive, and audacious; the bishop all duty, submission, and promise--as far as his consistency and principles could be engaged. But, after all, the immense mountain of anxiety and stratagem was reared in vain, for Walpole withdrew his bill, and Caroline felt that England was but nominally a monarchy. CHAPTER IV. FAMILY AND NATIONAL QUARRELS. Retirement of Lady Suffolk--Tact of Queen Caroline--Arrogance of Princess Anne--Private life of the royal family--The Count de Roncy, the French refugee--German predilections of the Queen--A scene at court--Queen Caroline’s declining health--Ambitious aspirations of Princess Anne--Bishop Hoadly and the see of Winchester--The Queen and the clergy--The Queen appointed Regent--The King and Madame Walmoden--Lord Hervey’s imaginary post-obit diary--The Queen’s farewell interview with Lady Suffolk--Grief made fashionable--The temper of the King on his return--A scene: dramatis personæ, the King, Queen, and Lord Hervey--Lady Deloraine (Pope’s _Delia_) a royal favourite--An angry scene between the King and Queen--The King’s opinion of Bishop Hoadly--Dissension between the King and Prince--The royal libertine at Hanover--Court revels--Lady Bolingbroke and the Queen. The year 1734 was marked by the retirement from court of the lady whom it was the fashion to call the Queen’s rival. Mrs. Howard, on becoming Countess of Suffolk, by the accession of her husband to the earldom in 1731, had been raised to the office of mistress of the robes to the Queen. Her husband died two years subsequently; and, shortly after, the King’s widowed favourite was sought in marriage by another suitor.