eing _feted_ by me--_while their Henry V._ was
_not_ even noticed or received. I could easily, and indeed have almost
done so, make it known generally that _I_ expect the Nemours, and I
would say _immediately_, and he would be sure to get out of the way.
I cannot tell you _how very_ anxious we are to see the Nemours; I have
been thinking of nothing else, and to lose this great pleasure would
be too mortifying. Moreover, as I really and truly do not think it
need be, it would be _best_ if the Nemours could come _before_ the
10th of November; which is the _latest_ term when they could come? Now
pray, dearest Uncle, do settle this for me; you have no notion _how_
we wish it. I will be sure to let you know what I hear, and if there
is anything you could suggest about this, I need not say but that we
shall attend to it with pleasure. The Grand Duke Michael will be gone
by the end of this month. _Ainsi je mets cette chere visite dans vos
mains._ Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

Pray, dearest Uncle, let me have an answer by the next post about
this, as I am all in a _fidget_ about it.

[Pageheading: ARREST OF O'CONNELL]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th October 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kind letter of the 13th I received yesterday,
and return you my warmest thanks for it....

By your letter, and by one I received from Victoire yesterday morning,
I see every reason to hope that we shall see the dear Nemours,
for there will be no difficulty to prevent that poor stupid Duc de
Bordeaux from being _in London_ at the time. He is to be informed
indirectly that the Nemours are coming at the beginning of next month
on a visit to us, in consequence of a pressing invitation of ours;
this alone will keep him off, as the contrast would be disagreeable to
the Legitimists. Independent of this, his disembarkation at Hull, and
proceeding at once to Scotland, seems to indicate his wish to be in
private.

The great event of the day is O'Connell's arrest;[73] they have found
bail, but the trial will shortly commence. The case against him is
_very_ strong, the lawyers say.

Everything is perfectly quiet at Dublin. You will have seen how
O'Connell has abused the King; it is all because our visit to Eu
has put an end to _any_ hopes of assistance from France, which
he pretended there would be, and he now declares for the Duc de
Bordeaux!...

You must encourage the dear King and Que