The Queen would not have _stood so firmly_ on the Grooms and Equerries, but her _Ladies_ are _entirely_ her own affair, and _not_ the Ministers'.
[Pageheading: THE CRISIS] _Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ _9th May 1839._ Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty.

Lord Melbourne had certainly never expected that this demand would be urged, and therefore had never advised your Majesty as to what was to be done in such a case.

Lord Melbourne strongly advises your Majesty to hear what the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel urge, but to take time before you come to a peremptory and final decision.
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ _9th May 1839._ Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty.

This is a matter of so much importance, and may have such grave results, that any advice which Lord Melbourne could give would be of little importance unless it coincided with the opinions of others, and particularly of all those who were and intend still [to] continue to be his colleagues.
It will depend upon their determination whether your Majesty is to be supported or not.

The best course will perhaps be that you should hear Sir Robert Peel's determination, say nothing, but send for Lord Melbourne, and lay the matter before him.