nt to the Queen to receive him at Windsor before Saturday at
the earliest, and probably Monday.

On the day after I spoke to your Royal Highness I gave instructions
for enquiries to be made respecting the two properties in the Isle of
Wight.[76] It is necessary to make such enquiries through some very
confidential channel, as a suspicion of the object of them would
probably greatly enhance the price.

The party on whom I could entirely rely was out of town, but will
return to-morrow, and will immediately find out what he can respecting
the properties.

The result shall be made known to the Queen and your Royal Highness
without delay.

Will your Royal Highness have the goodness to mention this to Her
Majesty?...

I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal
Highness's most faithful and humble Servant,

ROBERT PEEL.

[Footnote 75: Referring to the visit of the Duc de Bordeaux.]

[Footnote 76: The Queen and the Prince were at this time
making enquiries about a suitable residence in the Isle of
Wight. The purchase of Osborne resulted.]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S DECISION]

_The Prince Albert to Sir Robert Peel._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st October 1843._

MY DEAR SIR ROBERT,--I return you Sir James Graham's letter. There
is a pretty general impression of the Duc de Bordeaux's visit being
a got-up thing for various political intrigues. I confess I do not
understand the link with Ireland, or at least the importance of his
being well received by the Roman Catholics, but am strongly impressed
that his presence whether in Scotland, England, or Ireland is for
no good, and therefore think it our duty that we should render it
difficult for him to protract it. The Queen and myself think that the
uncertainty of his being received at Court or not is doing harm, and
would _much_ wish, therefore, that it was _decidedly_ stated _that
the Queen will not receive him_. His coming here without ever asking
(indeed knowing that it was disliked), as well as the part which
Austria and Prussia seem to have taken in the matter, do not
strengthen his claim for such a favour. No good can come from the
reception, and the King of the French must prefer its not taking
place. Let us, therefore, settle that point, and show that we are
neither afraid of him nor prepared to be made dupes of.

The Queen is desirous that no official person should treat the Duke
with a distinction which is likely to attra