LORD CHAMBERLAIN.—May it please your Majesty, a letter from the Duke of Wellington.
THE QUEEN (opens the letter.)—Oh! a person for the vacant place of Premier—show the bearer in, my lord. [Exit LORD CHAMBERLAIN.
THE QUEEN (muses).—Sir Robert Peel—I have heard that name before, as connected with my family. If I remember rightly, he held the situation of adviser to the crown in the reign of Uncle William, and was discharged for exacting a large discount on all the state receipts; yet Wellington is very much interested in his favour.
Enter the LORD CHAMBERLAIN, who ushers in SIR ROBERT, and then retires. As he is going—]
LORD CHAMBERLAIN (aside).—If you do get the berth, Sir Robert, I hope you’ll not give me warning.
[Exit.
SIR ROBERT (looking demurely).—Hem!
[The Queen regards him very attentively.]
THE QUEEN (aside).—I don’t much like the looks of the fellow—that affectation of simplicity is evidently intended to conceal the real cunning of his character. (Aloud). You are of course aware of the nature and the duties of the situation which you solicit?
SIR ROBERT.—Oh, yes, your Majesty; I have filled it before, and liked it very much.