Lord Melbourne had written to the Queen the night before, stating his opinion of the Prince--that he had great discretion, temper, and judgment, and that he considered him to be well worthy of Her Majesty's confidence, and that now was the time for Her Majesty to feel comfort and assistance from giving him her fullest confidence.

He had just received the Queen's answer to this, saying what "pleasure it had given the Queen to receive his letter with this expression of his opinion of her beloved husband, and that what he said could not fail to increase the confidence which she already felt in him.

He was indeed a great comfort to her in this trying moment; at times she was very low indeed though she strove to bear up.

It would always be a satisfaction to her to feel secure of Lord Melbourne's faithful and affectionate friendship to her and the Prince.

She hoped after a time to see him here again, and it would always be a pleasure to her to hear from him frequently." From South Steet I went to Sir Robert Peel's.