After the ladies had left the dining-room, the gentlemen were not permitted to remain behind for very long; indeed, the short time allowed them for their wine-drinking formed the subject--so it was rumoured--of one of the very few disputes between the Queen and her Prime Minister;( *) but her determination carried the day, and from that moment after-dinner drunkenness began to go out of fashion.

When the company was reassembled in the drawing-room the etiquette was stiff.

For a few moments the Queen spoke in turn to each one of her guests; and during these short uneasy colloquies the aridity of royalty was apt to become painfully evident.
One night Mr.Greville, the Clerk of the Privy Council, was present; his turn soon came; the middle-aged, hard-faced viveur was addressed by his young hostess.

"Have you been riding to-day, Mr.Greville ?" asked the Queen.

"No, Madam, I have not," replied Mr.Greville.