ested solemnly it
was not the former, and I believed her; but she gave me some lights to
suspect the Queen is changed. For yesterday, when the Queen was
going from the House, where she sat to hear the debate, the Duke
of Shrewsbury, Lord Chamberlain, asked her whether he or the Great
Chamberlain Lindsey(13) ought to lead her out; she answered short,
"Neither of you," and gave her hand to the Duke of Somerset, who was
louder than any in the House for the clause against peace. She gave me
one or two more instances of this sort, which convince me that the Queen
is false, or at least very much wavering. Mr. Masham begged us to stay,
because Lord Treasurer would call, and we were resolved to fall on him
about his negligence in securing a majority. He came, and appeared in
good humour as usual, but I thought his countenance was much cast down.
I rallied him, and desired him to give me his staff, which he did: I
told him, if he would secure it me a week, I would set all right: he
asked how; I said I would immediately turn Lord Marlborough, his
two daughters,(14) the Duke and Duchess of Somerset, and Lord
Cholmondeley,(15) out of all their employments; and I believe he had
not a friend but was of my opinion. Arbuthnot asked how he came not to
secure a majority. He could answer nothing but that he could not
help it, if people would lie and forswear. A poor answer for a great
Minister. There fell from him a Scripture expression, that "the hearts
of kings are unsearchable."(16) I told him it was what I feared, and was
from him the worst news he could tell me. I begged him to know what he
had to trust to: he stuck a little; but at last bid me not fear, for all
would be well yet. We would fain have had him eat a bit where he was,
but he would go home, it was past six: he made me go home with him.
There we found his brother and Mr. Secretary. He made his son take
a list of all in the House of Commons who had places, and yet voted
against the Court, in such a manner as if they should lose their places:
I doubt he is not able to compass it. Lord Keeper came in an hour,
and they were going upon business. So I left him, and returned to Mrs.
Masham; but she had company with her, and I would not stay.--This is
a long journal, and of a day that may produce great alterations, and
hazard the ruin of England. The Whigs are all in triumph; they foretold
how all this would be, but we thought it boasting. Nay, they said the
Parliament should be di