lotte the justice to say that she kept this compact most
religiously, and at times even more so than myself, as in my younger
days I was sometimes inclined to be sulky and silently displeased.
With this rule no misunderstandings can take root and be increased or
complicated by new ones being added to the old. Albert is gentle and
open to reason; all will therefore always be easily explained, and he
is determined never to be occupied but by what is important or useful
to you....

Now I conclude, with my renewed warmest and sincerest good wishes for
you, ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD.

[Footnote 8: _(From an unpublished Contemporary Memoir by
Admiral Sir William Hotham, G.C.B.)_

"Her Royal Highness was now and then apt to give way to a high
flow of animal spirits, natural at her time of life, and from
carelessness more than unkindness to ridicule others. In one
of these sallies of inconsiderate mirth, she perceived the
Prince, sombre and cold, taking no apparent notice of what was
going on, or if he did, evidently displeased. She at length
spoke to him about it, and he at once manifested reluctance
to join in the conversation, saying that though he had been a
tolerably apt scholar in many things, he had yet to learn in
England what pleasure was derived from the exercise of that
faculty he understood to be called "quizzing"; that he could
by no means reconcile it to himself according to any rule
either of good breeding or benevolence. The tears instantly
started in her eye, and feeling at once the severity and
justice of the reproof, assured him most affectionately
that, as it was the first time she had ever merited His Royal
Highness's reproof on this subject, she assured him most
solemnly it should be the last."]

[Pageheading: THE WEDDING-DAY]

_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._[9]

_10th February 1840._

DEAREST,--... How are you to-day, and have you slept well? I have
rested very well, and feel very comfortable to-day. What weather! I
believe, however, the rain will cease.

Send one word when you, my most dearly loved bridegroom, will be
ready. Thy ever-faithful,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 9: A note folded in _billet_ form, to be taken by
hand. Addressed:

"HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE.
"THE QUEEN."

This was the day of their marriage at the Chapel Royal. After