You will understand me, dear Uncle, I am certain, as I know the anxiety you always express for my health.

For _once_ I _long_ to leave London, and shall do so on Friday.

If you could be at Windsor by the 4th, I should be delighted.
The dear Ferdinands, whom I _all dearly_ love, will await you here.
I have had so much to do and so many people to see, that I feel quite confused, and have written shockingly, which you must forgive.

Ever your devoted Niece, VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 55: On 27th August.] [Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S SPEECH] _Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26 August 1839._ (_10 minutes to 12._) The Queen has received both Lord Melbourne's notes; she was a good deal vexed at his not coming, as she had begged him herself to do so, and as he wrote to say he would, and also as she thinks it right and of importance that Lord Melbourne should be here at large dinners; the Queen _insists_ upon his coming to dinner to-morrow, and also begs him to do so on Wednesday, her two last nights in town, and as she will probably not see him at all for two days when she goes on Friday; the Queen would wish to see Lord Melbourne _after_ the Prorogation to-morrow at any hour _before_ five he likes best.
The Queen has been a good deal annoyed this evening at Normanby's telling her that John Russell was coming to town next Monday in order to _change_ with _him_.[56] Lord Melbourne _never_ told the Queen that this was definitely settled; on the contrary, he said it would "remain in our hands," to use Lord Melbourne's own words, and only be settled during the Vacation; considering all that the Queen has said on the subject to Lord Melbourne, and considering the great confidence the Queen has in Lord Melbourne, she thinks and feels he ought to have told her that this was _settled_, and not let the Queen be the last person to hear what is settled and done in her own name; Lord Melbourne will excuse the Queen's being a little eager about this, but it has happened once before that she learnt from other people what had been decided on.
The Queen has such unlimited confidence in Lord Melbourne that she knows all that he does is right, but she cannot help being a little vexed at not being told things, when she is accustomed to great confidence on Lord Melbourne's part.
Lord Melbourne may rely on the Queen's secrecy respecting Howick; he knows the Queen always keeps things to herself; Normanby hinted at his wish to get rid of Howick.
The Speech is safely arrived, has been read over twice, and shall not be forgotten to-morrow; the Queen wishes they would not use such thin and slippery paper--for it is difficult to hold with nervous, and, as Lord Melbourne knows, _shaking_ hands.

The Queen trusts Lord Melbourne will be less tired in the morning.
[Footnote 56: _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, p.141.