he only awaited the Queen's decision. The Queen therefore wishes to
see Lord Melbourne about half-past twelve or one, if that would do.

The Queen fears Lord Melbourne has much trouble in consequence of all
this; but the Queen was fully prepared, and fully intended to give
these people a fair trial, though she always told Lord Melbourne she
knew they couldn't stand; and she must rejoice at having got out of
the hands of people who would have sacrificed every personal feeling
and instinct of the Queen's to their bad party purposes.

How is Lord Melbourne this morning?

[Pageheading: AN ANXIOUS WEEK]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th May 1839._

Half-past one will do as well as one; any hour will do that Lord
Melbourne likes, for the Queen will not go out.

There is no answer from Peel.

The Queen is wonderfully well, considering all the fatigue of
yesterday, and not getting to bed till near half-past two, which is
somewhat of a fatigue for to-night when the Queen must be very late.
Really all these Fetes in the midst of such very serious and anxious
business are quite overwhelming.

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th May 1839._

The Queen forgot to ask Lord Melbourne if he thought there would be
any harm in her writing to the Duke of Cambridge that she really was
fearful of fatiguing herself, if she went out to a party at Gloucester
House on Tuesday, an Ancient Concert on Wednesday, and a ball at
Northumberland House on Thursday, considering how much she had to do
these last four days. If she went to the Ancient Concert on Wednesday,
having besides a concert of her own here on Monday, it would be four
nights of fatigue, really exhausted as the Queen is.

But if Lord Melbourne thinks that as there are only to be English
singers at the Ancient Concert, she ought to go, she could go there
for one act; but she would much rather, if possible, get out of it,
for it is a fatiguing time....

As the negotiations with the Tories are quite at an end, and Lord
Melbourne _has been here_, the Queen hopes Lord Melbourne will not
object to dining with her on _Sunday_?

[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF PEEL]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

_10th May 1839._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has had
the honour of receiving your Majesty's note of this morning.

In respectfully submitting to your Majes