It has been my pleasure to be able to perform this small service for you, Lady Margaret. My reward will be in knowing that I have provided some comfort to you in your exile. While the gratitude you express for my coming to your rescue is much appreciated, it is unnecessary. As to your apology for, in your own words, ripping up at me, that, too, is quite unnecessary. You were greatly distressed, and understandably so. Your determination to shoulder the entire blame for the episode does you enormous credit, and will, I trust, stand you in good stead with those closest to you.

It only remains for me to wish you good health and happiness, whatever the future holds for you. I trust most sincerely that in the three months which have elapsed since your departure from the metropolis, good relations have been restored with your most esteemed parents and that they are now happy to receive your letters. Sadly, without their consent, I must sacrifice the pleasure of writing to you again.

Yours with respect and sincerity,

Lochiel

Princess Louise to Lady Margaret

Princess Louise to Lady Margaret

Windsor Castle, 4 November 1865

My very dear M.,

Vicky and Fritz finally departed this morning to go to Sandringham for the week, which left the queen most melancholy, and so she concluded that a visit to the mausoleum would be the very thing to cheer her up! I was lucky enough to be selected to accompany her. You won’t be surprised to learn that paying her respects to Papa did not raise Her Majesty’s spirits noticeably. Incidentally, Vicky is expecting—again! Number five, would you believe. I hear that your sister Victoria is also breeding, as you would put it. I hope she has an easier time with her first than my sister did.

I know you’ll forgive me for replying tardily to your last two letters, but my time truly has hardly been my own due to my revered sister’s extended visit. (Yes, I am rolling my eyes—she is so determined to demonstrate her saintliness, just like your own sister. You and I cannot possibly compete!) I shall dash off this note now and write more fully later. I have so much to tell you, M., though most of it will have to wait until we meet again, for I dare not put any of it in writing, even though I know that no-one enjoys salacious gossip more than you do—except me!