ingly was
sent to Sir Robert Peel, and (doubtful as it all still was) every
precaution was taken, still keeping the thing completely secret, not
a soul in the house knowing a word, and accordingly after some
consultation, as _nothing_ could be done, we drove out--many police
then in plain clothes being distributed in and about the parks, and
the two Equerries riding so close on each side that they must have
been hit, if anybody had; still the feeling of looking out for such a
man was not _des plus agreables_; however, we drove through the parks,
up to Hampstead, and back again. All was so quiet that we almost
thought of nothing,--when, as we drove down Constitution Hill, very
fast, we heard the report of a pistol, but not at all loud, so that
had we not been on the alert we should hardly have taken notice of
it. We saw the man seized by a policeman _next to whom he was standing
when he_ fired, but we did not stop. Colonel Arbuthnot and two others
saw him take aim, but we only _heard_ the report (looking both the
other way). We felt both very glad that our drive had had the effect
of having the man seized. Whether it was loaded or not we cannot yet
tell, but we are again full of gratitude to Providence for invariably
_protecting_ us! The feeling of horror is very great in the public,
and great affection is shown us. The man was yesterday examined at the
Home Office, is called John Francis, is a cabinet-maker, and son of a
machine-maker of Covent Garden Theatre, is good-looking (they say). I
have never seen him at all close, but Arbuthnot gave the description
of him from what he saw on Sunday, which exactly answered. Only twenty
or twenty-one years old, and _not_ the _least_ mad--but very cunning.
The boy identified him this morning, amongst many others. Everything
is to be kept secret _this_ time, which is very right, and altogether
I think it is being well done. Every further particular you shall
hear. I was really not at all frightened, and feel _very_ proud at
dear Uncle Mensdorff calling me "_sehr muthig_," which I shall ever
remember with peculiar pride, coming from so distinguished an officer
as he is! Thank God, my Angel is also well! but he says that had
the man fired on Sunday, he must have been hit in the head! God is
merciful; that indeed we must feel daily more! Uncle and cousins were
quite horrified.... Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

You will tell Louise _all_, of course.

[Footnote 34: The H