On the following day her medical attendants recognised that her state was hopeless; and yet, for two days more, the indomitable spirit fought on; for two days more she discharged the duties of a Queen of England.

But after that there was an end of working; and then, and not till then, did the last optimism of those about her break down.

The brain was failing, and life was gently slipping away.

Her family gathered round her; for a little more she lingered, speechless and apparently insensible; and, on January 22, 1901, she died.
When, two days previously, the news of the approaching end had been made public, astonished grief had swept over the country.

It appeared as if some monstrous reversal of the course of nature was about to take place.
The vast majority of her subjects had never known a time when Queen Victoria had not been reigning over them.