Queen Victoria’s journal:
“I had slept in my dressing room. D’ Jenner had sat up with him till ½ p. 12. Dear Albert had been very restless but had frequently had some snatches of sleep, & taken some nourishment. At 3 I got up to see how he was. He did not smile or take much notice of me, but complained of his wretched condition & asked what it could be, & how long it would last? Saw him take a cup of tea & 2 rusks, which he seemed to like. His manner all along has been so unlike himself & sometimes he has such a strange look. Left him to get dressed, — in a state of much cruel anxiety, though greatly reassured by the Doctors thinking him better. He was asleep, after breakfast, so I took an hour’s drive with the D” of Atholl. It was very foggy & raw. On my return found dear Albert resting on in the dressing room, talking & seeming decidedly better. He even desired M’ Ruland to bring a plan about Louis’ house, which we showed him. Sir J. Clark came over (his wife is too ill for him to be able to stay) & he also thought dear Albert’s condition improved. The pulse was better, but he is still weak & excitable, quite unlike himself. I am in a constant state of anxiety & have frequently seen D’ Jenner. — The afternoon very wet. — In & out constantly to my beloved one. Alice reading to him. M’ Brown came to me at 7 to tell me he had no hesitation in saying he thought Albert decidedly better, so did D’ Jenner, & they were of opinion, if things were equally satisfactory tomorrow, Sir J. Clark might be told, he need not come over in the morning. – Found dearest Albert quite himself, so dear & affectionate, when I went in with little Baby, whom he kissed & he quite laughed at some of her new French verses, which I made her repeat. He then soon dozed off, which he has been doing a great deal during the day, & I left, not to disturb him. — Ernest & Marie, having returned, dined with us. —“
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012
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