218 THE PRINCESS OF WALES [1814. 



We met, accordingly, the same evening. I having 

 considered the draft which he had sent me, and being 

 clear that it would not do, especially from its omission 

 of the Princess Charlotte, with whom we had been in 

 communication through her mother, another answer 

 was framed, and, after much consideration, was com- 

 municated to the Princess of Wales. 



Her letter, as sent to the Queen at Windsor, was as 

 follows:* 



" MADAM, I have received the letter which your 

 Majesty has done me the honour to address to me, 

 prohibiting my appearance at the public drawing- 

 rooms which will be held by your Majesty in the 

 ensuing month, with great surprise and regret. 



" I will not presume to discuss with your Majesty 

 topics which must be as painful to your Majesty as to 

 myself. 



"Your Majesty is well acquainted with the affec- 

 tionate regard with which the King was so kind as to 

 honour me up to the period of his Majesty's indispo- 

 sition, which no one of his Majesty's subjects has so 

 much cause to lament as myself, and that his Majesty 

 was graciously pleased to bestow upon me the most 

 unequivocal and gratifying proof of his attachment 

 and approbation by his public reception of me at his 

 Court, at a season of severe and unmerited affliction, 

 when his protection was most necessary to me, where 

 I have since uninterruptedly paid my respects to your 

 Majesty. 



" I am now without appeal or protector, but I can- 

 not so far forget my duty to the King and to myself 



* See below, p. 223. 



