can't describe the _anxiety_ I have gone
through! I feel to-day a good deal shaken, for for four nights I got
only two or three hours' sleep. We have, however, every reason to hope
the recovery, though it may be _somewhat_ tedious, will not be _very_
slow. You shall hear again to-morrow. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: HOPE NOT ABANDONED]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th December 1861_.

MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I enclose you Clark's report, which I think you
may like to hear. Our beloved invalid goes on well--but it _must_ be
tedious, and I need not tell you _what_ a trial it is to me. Every
day, however, is bringing us nearer the end of this tiresome illness,
which is much what I had at Ramsgate, only that I was much worse, and
not at first well attended to. You shall hear daily.

You will, I know, feel for me! The night was excellent; the first good
one he had. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

The Americans _may_ possibly get out of it.

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _11th December 1861_.

MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--_How I do feel for you from the bottom of my
heart_; that you should have this totally unexpected tribulation of
having dear Albert unwell, when not long ago we rejoiced that he was
bearing this time of the year so well. Now we must be very patient,
as an indisposition of this description at this time of the year is
generally mending slowly. The great object must be to arrange all the
little details exactly as the patient may wish them; that everything
of that description may move very smoothly is highly beneficial.
Patients are very different in their likings; to the great horror
of angelic Louise, the moment I am ill I become almost invisible,
disliking to see anybody. Other people are fond of company, and wish
to be surrounded. The medical advisors are, thank God! excellent, and
Clark knows Albert so well. Albert will wish you not to interrupt your
usual airings; you want air, and to be deprived of it would do you
harm. The temperature here at least has been extremely mild--this
ought to be favourable. I trust that every day will now show
some small improvement, and it will be very kind of you to let me
frequently know how dear Albert is going on. Believe me ever, my
beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th Dec