, who may _become
Queen to-morrow!_And to all this he says, "C'est seulement une
affaire de famille"! The King is very fond of England, and still more
of peace, and he never _can_ sacrifice this (for though it would
not be immediate war it would cause coolness with us and with other
Powers, and would probably lead to war in a short time), for a
breach of faith and _for one of his sons'_ marriages. No quarrel or
misunderstanding in the world _could be more disagreeable_ and to me
_more cruelly painful_, for it is _so personal_, and has come into
the midst of all our communications and correspondence, and is too
annoying. It is so sad, too, for dear Louise, to whom one cannot say
that her father has behaved dishonestly. I hope, however, another ten
days will show us some _daylight_. I will not mention anything about
Leopold's[24] answer, as Albert will, I doubt not, write to you all
about it. It is very satisfactory, however.

We are since this day week in our charming new house, which is
delightful, and to-morrow we go, alas! to Windsor, where we expect the
Queen-Dowager and the Princess of Prussia, who will remain a week with
us. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

I received this afternoon your kind letter from Gais of the 12th. One
word more I must just add. No doubt if Lord Aberdeen had been at his
post what has happened would _not_ have taken place, and suspicion of
Lord Palmerston _has_ been the cause of the _unjustifiable_ conduct of
the French Government. But just as they _did_ suspect him, they should
have been more cautious to do anything which could bring on a quarrel,
which is surely not what the King can wish.

[Footnote 24: Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg.]

[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS OF PRUSSIA]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th September 1846._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I received last week your very kind and
_satisfactory_ letter of the 16th. Your opinion on this truly
unfortunate and, on the part of the French, disgraceful affair is a
great support to us. Stockmar has, I know, communicated to you what
has passed, and he will send you copies of the King's letter and my
answer. Our conduct has been throughout _honest_, and the King's and
Guizot's the contrary. _How_ the King _can_ wantonly throw away the
friendship of one who has stood by him with such sincere affection,
for a _doubtful_ object of personal and family aggrandizement, is to
me and to the