He attempted to calm the Queen and to induce her to accept the new position gracefully; and he had nothing but good words for the Tory leaders.

As for the question of the Ladies of the Household, the Queen, he said, should strongly urge what she desired, as it was a matter which concerned her personally, "but," he added, "if Sir Robert is unable to concede it, it will not do to refuse and to put off the negotiation upon it." On this point there can be little doubt that Lord Melbourne was right.

The question was a complicated and subtle one, and it had never arisen before; but subsequent constitutional practice has determined that a Queen Regnant must accede to the wishes of her Prime Minister as to the personnel of the female part of her Household.

Lord Melbourne's wisdom, however, was wasted.

The Queen would not be soothed, and still less would she take advice.