I was sure you would grieve for poor, dear, honest Ernest Hohenlohe19; Feodore feels it dreadfully, and writes beautifully about it. Thank God! she has every comfort in her second son, Hermann, who—by an arrangement made last year with the eldest and poor Ernest—has the entire management of everything; Charles has a certain income and Weikersheim20; while Hermann has Langenburg and the management of everything else; he naturally leaves the Austrian Service.
We are too delighted to hear that you are, D.V., ready to come by the 2nd of June; it will be so great a pleasure, and to dear Mamma too, who is unberufen wonderfully well. She is here again since yesterday, and will stay till the 2nd. Clém was quite astonished at her looks. The poor Queen will be seventy-eight to-morrow. She is very tolerably well.
How well do I remember that speech of Oscar's in the carriage. It certainly took us all in....
I fear I must end for to-day. With Albert's affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Bertie was much pleased with little Louise.21
Footnote 18: The Prince of Wales had been spending a week at Coburg and Gotha, which he had not previously seen.
Footnote 19: Prince Ernest died on the 12th of April, and was succeeded by his second son Hermann.
Footnote 20: A small town in Würtemberg, and part of the estate of the Princes of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.
Footnote 21: Elder child of the Duke of Brabant (now King Leopold II.).