However what did it matter? The ship bringing Uncle Leopold was coming nearer.

And there he was, looking slightly older than when I last saw him, for it was four years and two months.

He was coming toward me and I flew into his arms. Mama smiled, not at all displeased. Uncle Leopold was delighted and so were the crowds. They liked exuberant displays of affection.

Uncle Leopold took my face in his hands and said how I had grown and this was one of the happiest moments of his life.

I told him how wonderful it was for me to be with this dearest of uncles.

He presented his bride and I was so happy because I liked her immediately. She was slim and pretty with lovely fair hair and blue eyes. Her bonnet was blue to match them; and she looked so elegant in her light brown silk dress.

“Oh, you are just as Uncle said you were!” I cried.

“You must love each other,” commanded Uncle Leopold, “because that is what I wish.”

“I shall, I shall,” I said in what Mama would call my impetuous way. “I do already.”

And I did, for I knew at once that we were going to be friends.

Uncle Leopold contrived that he and I should have some long talks together, just the two of us. He talked to me as seriously as the Archbishop had, but how different it was coming from Uncle Leopold! He made me very much aware of the responsibilities I should have to face in the future, but reminded me again and again that he would always be there and all I had to do was write to him. He would be my guide and comforter, as he had always been. I was growing up fast, I was no longer a child. There would be many things I had to consider. He had heard rumors which deeply disturbed him. The King had ideas for me to marry my cousin George Cambridge. He did not think that a very good idea. Some of my relatives on my father's side were a very odd group. Quite unlike those on my mother's who were serious, right-minded, and goodliving.

I told him I thought both Georges were very good boys, and George Cumberland was quite unlike his father and mother. In fact he was very charming indeed and it was so sad that he was going blind.

“There can be no cure for him,” I said. “It is a great grief to his parents, and although I know they are not good people, they do love him.”

“My dearest child,” said Uncle Leopold, “you are apt to allow your emotions to take charge, you know. Of course you are very sorry for George Cumberland. It is indeed a great affliction. It may in a measure be retribution for the sins of his father. There have been the most unpleasant rumors about that gentleman.”

“To make George blind because of his father's wickedness! Oh, I think that is most unfair.”

“Dearest child, it is not for us to question the ways of God. But enough of these cousins. They may be pleasant boys but they cannot compare with your German cousins. What did you think of Ernest and Alexander?”

“They were delightful.”

“Far more interesting than your Cumberlands and Cambridges, I'll swear.”

“Well, they were different… and most amusing.”

“You thought them delightful, I know, but you have not yet met your Saxe-Coburg cousins.”

“You mean Ernest and Albert.”

“The most delightful boys I ever knew in my life.”

“I have heard of them.”

“If you liked your cousins Alexander and Ernest…”

“Oh, I did, Uncle. I did.”

“How much more will you be enchanted by these two.”

“When am I going to meet them?”

“Soon, my dearest, very soon.”

“I long to see them … particularly Albert.”

“Well, Albert is indeed a wonderful boy. I look upon him as my own. He is as close to me as you are, my dearest. If I may be a little indiscreet …”

“Oh do, Uncle, please do.”

I thought he was going to tell me about the scandal regarding Albert's mother of which I had wanted to speak to him, though some caution had made me hold back, for I felt it might well be that Feodore should not have told me and if I mentioned it she would be reprimanded for her indiscretion.

Evidently I was right because Uncle Leopold made no reference to it. All he said was, “It is wrong of me to have a favorite in this case, but it is difficult to prevent it. I will tell you this, Victoria, but don't mention it: Albert is my very favorite of all your cousins.”

“Then I am sure he will be mine.”

“I hope so, dear child. I fervently hope so.”

Then he talked at length about Albert. How he loved to ride through the forest on his English ponies; how he collected plants and geological specimens.

“He is more of a student than a sportsman. He once said to me that he could not understand why people made such a business of shooting. Which shows very fine feelings, do you not agree?”

I said I did. “Is he very clever?” I asked. “He is very studious.”

“He would probably think I was rather frivolous.”

“Your mother tells me that you are a little… and apt to let your emotions rule your head. Well, my darling, I am of the opinion that that is not always a bad thing. You are overflowing with affection, and when you love you do so wholeheartedly. I am sure Albert would admire that in you. He finds it less easy to express his emotions. You could help him to be more demonstrative. He could help you to be more restrained.”

I liked the thought of helping Albert.

“He is so good-tempered. It is only that which is unjust or dishonest that makes him angry. I remember once watching them play at Rosenau. There were a party of them and some were to defend the castle. Albert was with those who were trying to capture it. One of the boys found a way in through the back, but Albert would not take it. He said it was not becoming in a Saxon knight to do anything underhand and that the enemy should be attacked from the front.”

“How noble!”

“Albert is noble. You will find him the most honorable, noble, and handsome knight that ever was.”

“I long to meet him.”

“You shall…very soon, I think.”

“Will you arrange it, Uncle Leopold?”

“I shall. He will come to see you with my blessing and my urgent wish that you shall each realize the other's virtues—and all you have to offer one another.”

“I hope he will come soon.”

Uncle Leopold drew me to him and kissed me tenderly. “Understand always, dearest child, your welfare is the most important thing on earth to me—yours and that of dear Albert.”

“I feel I love him already,” I said.

“I have no doubt you will love him very dearly.”

Then Uncle Leopold began to talk of other matters, explaining how necessary it was for me to have humility, which was one of the greatest Christian virtues. Fate had set me in a difficult position. Great responsibilities loomed ahead. I told him that I knew this, and the Archbishop had made it very clear to me when I had been confirmed.

“Always be on guard against hypocrisy. It is the besetting sin of our times. I am sorry to say, my dear love, with all my affection for old England, the very state of its society and politics renders many in that country humbugs and deceivers. The appearance of the thing is generally considered more than the reality. Defend yourself against this system. Let your dear character always be true and loyal. Always be prudent and cautious… but at the same time be sterling and true.”

Oh, how wonderful it was to listen to his eloquence! Although there were a great many dos and don'ts and one often seemed to cancel out the other. I must say what I meant and yet I must be careful. I must listen to the hypocrites and be true to myself and yet at the same time be prudent, which must mean disguising my true feelings, and how could one be truthful if one did that?

It seemed to me that I was going to find it difficult to do the right thing because it was all rather contradictory, and I consoled myself with the thought that Uncle Leopold—although a strip of water would separate us—would be there if I needed him. And I should shortly meet this Cousin Albert who seemed to combine all the virtues which could be found in one person—with none of the vices.

I had some pleasant times with Aunt Louise too. She turned out to be just a little frivolous when Uncle Leopold was not present. That made a delightful intimacy between us. I told her how elegant she always looked and how I loved her clothes. We talked about clothes at great length and she told me what colors would be best for me. She took me to her apartments and showed me some of her gowns. She said they were a little old for me, but I tried them on and paraded in front of the mirror. She put her head on one side watching me and she said French fashions became me. In fact they became everybody because they were the best in the world. I had to agree with her, and I really did look rather nice in some of her gowns. She was small but slimmer than I, and she had the prettiest figure while I was a little fat.

I said, “My clothes are always little-girl clothes. I do wish I had something grown-up to wear.”

“You will,” she said. “After all you are no longer a little girl.”

In a rush of confidence I said, “I think Mama wants to keep me a little girl as long as possible. She is very much afraid that I shall soon be eighteen.”

I stopped hastily. I was being indiscreet. I must remember all the injunctions Uncle Leopold had given me. But it did seem that every day my resentment against Mama was growing.

Then came the sad day when Uncle Leopold and Aunt Louise must leave us.

I flung myself into Uncle Leopold's arms and sobbed, “Don't go.”

He stroked my hair and said how it grieved him to leave me.