18th May 1841._

... I was sure you would feel for me. Since last Monday, the 10th, we
have lived in the daily expectation of a final event taking place, and
the debate _still_ continues, and it is not certain whether it will
even finish to-night, this being the eighth night, it having begun on
Friday the 7th, two Saturdays and two Sundays having intervened! Our
plans are so unsettled that I can tell you nothing, only that you
may depend upon it nothing will be done without having been duly,
properly, and maturely weighed. Lord Melbourne's conduct is as usual
perfect; fair, calm, and totally disinterested, and I am certain that
in whatever position he is _you_ will treat him _just_ as you have
always done.

My dearest Angel is indeed a great comfort to me. He takes the
greatest interest in what goes on, feeling with and for me, and yet
abstaining as he ought from biassing me either way, though we talk
much on the subject, and his judgment is, as you say, good and
mild....

_P.S._--Pray let me hear soon _when_ you come. You, I know, like me
to tell you what I hear, and for me to be frank with you. I therefore
tell you that it is believed by some people here, and even by some
in the Government, that _you_ wish my Government to be _out_. Now,
I never for an instant can believe such an assertion, as I know your
liberal feelings, and your interest in my welfare and in that of
the country too well to think you could wish for such a thing, and I
immediately said I was sure this was not so; but I think you would
do well to say to Seymour something which might imply interest in my
present Government.

I know you will understand my anxiety on your account, lest such a
mischievous report should be believed. It comes, you see, from the
idea that your feelings are very French.

[Pageheading: THE CORN LAWS]

_Extract from the Queen's Journal._

_Tuesday, 18th May 1841._

"Saw Lord Melbourne.[37] He said Lord John Russell had been to
see him, and, 'He now wishes us not to resign, but to give notice
immediately of a Motion on the Corn Laws. This, he thinks, will make
the others propose a vote of confidence, or make them oppose the Sugar
Duties, which, he thinks, will be better for us to resign upon,
and when it would be clear to our people that we couldn't dissolve.
Everybody says it would be a very bad thing for us to resign now, upon
such a question as this, and we must consider the party a little.' I
said, of cou