It was outrageous of the Tories to want to deprive her of her Ladies, and that night she made up her mind that, whatever Sir Robert might say, she would refuse to consent to the removal of a single one of them.

Accordingly, when, next morning, Peel appeared again, she was ready for action.

He began by detailing the Cabinet appointments, and then he added "Now, ma'am, about the Ladies-" when the Queen sharply interrupted him.

"I cannot give up any of my Ladies," she said.

"What, ma'am!" said Sir Robert, "does your Majesty mean to retain them all ?" "All," said the Queen.