Praetorius wanted to leave me, on a conception that, as a stranger, he might obstruct the freedom of our conversation.

I insisted, however, on his remaining with me, and we were shown into the drawing-room, where in all there were five of us.

For some minutes the conversation had turned on insignificant things, when the person talking to me said quite abruptly: "So I find the Queen is in daily correspondence with Lord Melbourne." I replied, "Who told you this ?" The answer was, "Mrs Norton; she told me the other evening.

Don't you believe that Lord Melbourne has lost his influence over the Queen's mind; he daily writes to her, and receives as many answers, in which she communicates everything to him." Without betraying much emotion I said, "I don't believe a word of it; the Queen may have written once or twice on private matters, but the daily correspondence on all matters is certainly the amplification of a thoughtless and imprudent person, who is not aware of such exaggerated assertions." My speech was followed by a general silence, after which we talked of other things, and soon took our leave.

When we were fairly in the open air, Praetorius expressed to me his amazement at what he had heard, and he remained for some time at a loss to comprehend the character of the person who, from mere giddiness, let out so momentous a secret.
The other fact took place the day after you had left.