This transaction, which was of grave constitutional significance, was entirely unknown to the outside world.
If Palmerston had been a sensitive man, he would probably have resigned on the receipt of the Queen's missive.

But he was far from sensitive; he loved power, and his power was greater than ever; an unerring instinct told him that this was not the time to go.

Nevertheless, he was seriously perturbed.

He understood at last that he was struggling with a formidable adversary, whose skill and strength, unless they were mollified, might do irreparable injury to his career.

He therefore wrote to Lord John, briefly acquiescing in the Queen's requirements--"I have taken a copy of this memorandum of the Queen and will not fail to attend to the directions which it contains"-- and at the same time, he asked for an interview with the Prince.