ich must have
appeared so strange.

Did the dinner go off well at Lady Elizabeth H. Vere's, and were there
many people there? Did Lord Melbourne go to Lady R. Grosvenor's party
or did he go home?

The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is quite well and not tired.

Monday at two o'clock for the Judge Advocate.

The Queen hears Lady Sandwich is very much delighted at her
appointment.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th July 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--I have no letter from you, but hope to get one
soon....

I shall send this letter by a courier, as I am anxious to put several
questions to you, and to mention some feelings of mine upon the
subject of my cousins' visit, which I am desirous should not
transpire. First of all, I wish to know if _Albert_ is aware of the
wish of his _Father_ and _you_ relative to _me?_ Secondly, if he knows
that there is _no engagement_ between us? I am anxious that you should
acquaint Uncle Ernest, that if I should like Albert, that I can make
_no final promise this year_, for, at the _very earliest_, any such
event could not take place till _two or three years hence_. For,
independent of my youth, and my _great_ repugnance to change my
present position, there is _no anxiety_ evinced in _this country_ for
such an event, and it would be more prudent, in my opinion, to wait
till some such demonstration is shown,--else if it were hurried it
might produce discontent.

Though all the reports of Albert are most favourable, and though
I have little doubt I shall like him, still one can never answer
beforehand for _feelings_, and I may not have the _feeling_ for him
which is requisite to ensure happiness. I _may_ like him as a friend,
and as a _cousin_, and as a _brother_, but not _more_; and should this
be the case (which is not likely), I am _very_ anxious that it should
be understood that I am _not_ guilty of any breach of promise, for
_I never gave any_. I am sure you will understand my anxiety, for I
should otherwise, were this not completely understood, be in a very
painful position. As it is, I am rather nervous about the visit, for
the subject I allude to is not an agreeable one to me. I have little
else to say, dear Uncle, as I have now spoken openly to you, which I
was very, _very anxious_ to do.

You will be at Paris, I suppose, when you get this letter, and I
therefore beg you to lay me at the feet of the whole family, and to
believe me ever y