“It is what you suggested, my dear. My horses shall be paraded through the streets to Tattersalls, the workmen who are still employed on the unfinished wing of Carlton House shall be dismissed, but the scaffolding shall remain as a witness to the straits to which the Heir Apparent to the Throne of England is reduced.”

“But, Sire, I never suggested such a course,” Gretna cried.

The Prince was not listening to her. He was reciting what he would do with almost relish as if he could see the King’s humiliation all too clearly.

“I shall close my stables and the horses’ liveries and harnesses must be sold by public auction. Those servants who wish to remain at Carlton House must do so on reduced wages.”

“Where will you go?” Maria asked through lips that seemed suddenly white. “Where will you stay?”

The Prince looked round the room as if for inspiration and then he suddenly clapped his hands together.

“We will go to Brighthelmstone. But, of course! That is where we will go, Maria. And, what is more, I shall travel there in a hired post-chaise. That will show the King, if nothing else does, that I mean what I say.”

“In a hired post-chaise,” Maria repeated faintly.

“That is what I have said,” the Prince continued, “and that is what I will do. And you and Gretna will do the same. Close this house, Maria. Tell Lord Uxbridge you have no further need of it. Send back to the purveyors any of the plate and furniture you can obtain a good price for.”

“If that is your wish, I will do it,” Maria said in a low voice.

“And now for my letter,” the Prince turned to the writing desk. “And while I am writing it send a footman for Richard Sheridan. If he cannot write a play out of this drama, then I declare he is not the playwright I believe him to be. What a plot, do you not agree, Maria? I might even persuade Sheridan to call it Another School for Scandal. For that is what this will be, a scandal that will shock Britain!”

The Prince stopped suddenly just as he was about to pick up the quill. Maria was in tears and, as he saw them filling her eyes and running down her soft cheeks, he sprang forward and put his arms round her.

“Maria, my darling angel! I would not have you cry. My cursed debts are not worth one tear from your sweet loyal heart.”

His lips sought hers and Gretna slipped from the room, closing the door softly behind her.

For a moment she stood outside, her head in a whirl, hardly being able to believe that what she had seen and heard had taken place in all reality and had not been just a figment of her imagination.