ask him to
dinner soon.

The Queen has not asked Lord Melbourne about any days this week
besides to-morrow (when she trusts he may be able to come, but she
does not know what there is in the House) and Wednesday; but perhaps
Lord Melbourne will consent to leave Thursday and Friday open in
_case_ he should be able to come one or both of those days.

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th August 1839._

The Queen has just received Lord Melbourne's letter; and wishes to
know if Lord Melbourne means by "to-day" that he is also coming to
see her _this afternoon_, (which she does not expect) as well as _this
evening_? for she did _not_ ask him in her note of this morning _if_
he would come to-night (for she felt _sure_ of that), but if he could
come _to-morrow_, about which he has not answered her, as to whether
he expects there will be anything of great length in the House of
Lords. Lord Melbourne will forgive the Queen's troubling him again,
but she felt a little puzzled by his letter; she sent him a card for
Wednesday without previously asking him, as she thought that would
suit him, and hopes it does?

The Queen will follow Lord Melbourne's advice respecting the Duke of
Sussex.

We have just returned from hearing not only a very long, and very bad,
but also, a very ludicrous, sermon.

The heat is somewhat less, but the Queen is undecided as to driving
out or not.

[Pageheading: KING LOUIS PHILIPPE]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _9th August 1839._

... I am sorry that you are less pleased with the old Duke, but party
spirit is in England an incurable disease. These last two years he had
rendered essential service to the present Administration; perhaps he
has been soured by last summer's events. It was my intention to have
answered your questions sooner, but from Paris I had not the means.
Now the time draws so near when I hope to have the happiness of seeing
you, that I think it will be better to treat the matter verbally, the
more so as my most beloved Majesty is easily displeased with what may
be written with the best intention, instead that in conversation the
immediate reply renders any misunderstanding, however small, very
difficult; and as I do not wish to have any great or small with you,
and see no occasion for it, I will give my answer _de vive voix_.

Now comes a subject which will _astonish_ you. I am charged _de
sonder_ your wil