I went in with Frances, and we aroused Sir Richard to tell him of his
daughter's experience, and of the plan of action agreed upon, though we
did not mention the king's name, leading Sir Richard to believe that we
did not know the guilty persons.
Sir Richard and Sarah readily agreed that secrecy was our only means of
saving Frances from ruinous publicity. Sarah especially grasped the point
and cleared the situation of all cloud by suggesting:--
"My sister has been here ever since yesterday noon, as my father, John
Churchill, and I will testify."
That was a very long speech for Sarah, but it was a helpful one. I, too,
might add my testimony and thus furnish enough evidence to convince any
reasonable person that Frances had not been kidnapped, but had remained
safe and well in her father's house through all this terrible night.
Just as soon as our plans were completed, I left my uncle's house and
took another coach for Charing Cross, dismissed the coach, ran down to
Whitehall, and climbed over the balcony to my closet, glad to find myself
once more at home. I did not permit myself to sleep, but rose at the
usual hours and was at my post ready for duty when the others arrived.
I soon learned that the king had been away from the palace all night,
having left in a coach near the hour of five the preceding afternoon, so
that he must have been not far ahead of George, Betty, and me on the way
to Merlin House.
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