Allow me once more therefore, dearest Uncle, to beseech you to use your powerful influence over your subjects, and to strive to moderate their excited feelings on these matters.

Your situation is a very difficult one, and nobody feels more for you than I do.
I trust, dearest Uncle, that you will, at all times, believe me your devoted and most affectionate Niece, VICTORIA R.
[Pageheading: FOREIGN POLICY] _The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ LAEKEN, _June [18] 1838._ MY DEAREST AND MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--You have written me a _very dear_ and long letter, which has given me _great pleasure and satisfaction_.

I was much moved with the expressions of truly felt affection, which it contains, and I shall _never_ again doubt your affection for me, but rely on your dear heart and the constancy of your character.
I will now tell you honestly that I had some misgivings; I did not exactly think that you had quite forgotten me, but I thought I had been put aside as one does with a piece of furniture which is no longer wanted.

I did not complain, because I fear if affection is once on the decline, reproaches only diminish it the faster.

I therefore said nothing, but in a life full of grief and disappointments like mine, the loss of your affection would have been one of the most severe.