I shall therefore (unless I hear from you to the contrary) send one of my equerries and two carriages to the Tower on _Thursday_.
I am sorry to hear of the serious disturbances at Ghent; I trust it is all got under now.

If you should hear anything more of Roi Guillaume's[58] marriage, pray let me hear it, as it is such an odd story.

Old Alava, who was here for two nights last week, told me he knew _Pauline d'Oultremont_ many years ago, when she was young and very gay and pretty, but that he wonders much at this marriage, as the King hates Catholics.

Alava is _rayonnant de bonheur_.
I told Lord Melbourne of your alarms respecting the financial crisis, which _we_ did not bring on--those wild American speculations are the cause of it--and he desires me to assure you that we will pursue as moderate and cautious a course as possible.
The Queen Dowager came here yesterday and stays till to-morrow; she is very cheerful and in good spirits....
I must conclude in haste.

Ever your devoted Niece, VICTORIA R.
Many thanks for the two supplies of ortolans, which were delicious.
[Footnote 58: William I., King of the Netherlands, was greatly attached to the Roman Catholic Countess d'Oultremont, and in October 1840, being sixty-seven, abdicated his Crown to marry her.