The King in his reply declared himself delighted, and re-echoed the affectionate protestations of his niece.
"My dearest and most beloved Victoria," he said, "you have written me a VERY DEAR and long letter, which has given me GREAT PLEASURE AND SATISFACTION." He would not admit that he had had a rebuff.
A few months later the crisis came.

King Leopold determined to make a bold push, and to carry Victoria with him, this time, by a display of royal vigour and avuncular authority.

In an abrupt, an almost peremptory letter, he laid his case, once more, before his niece.

"You know from experience," he wrote, "that I NEVER ASK ANYTHING OF YOU...

But, as I said before, if we are not careful we may see serious consequences which may affect more or less everybody, and THIS ought to be the object of our most anxious attention.