And firm she was.

The venerable conqueror of Napoleon was outfaced by the relentless equanimity of a girl in her teens.

He could not move the Queen one inch.

At last, she even ventured to rally him.

"Is Sir Robert so weak," she asked, "that even the Ladies must be of his opinion ?" On which the Duke made a brief and humble expostulation, bowed low, and departed.
Had she won?
Time would show; and in the meantime she scribbled down another letter.