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see something of the world. The two months of September and October were taken up by this and it had been arranged that this should be a walking holiday. Albert was quite happy; he loved the fresh air; the mountains of Switzerland exhilarated him and the art treasures of Milan and Venice enchanted him. He was quite content to spend his days walking, providing he could go to bed at about nine o’clock. He would immediately sleep heavily and be awake at six o’clock, ready to spend another day of exploration.
    Albert wished that holiday could have gone on and on. He discussed his feelings with Ernest for they understood each other well.
    ‘You know what will happen when we have finished with Bonn,’ said Ernest. ‘You will go one way and I another.’
    ‘I have often thought of it,’ replied Albert sombrely.
    ‘We have to face it. If you are going to England and I to Coburg, we shall be parted.’
    ‘Eighteen years is a long time for two people to be together.’
    ‘Most brothers and sisters are.’
    ‘We are more to each other than most.’
    They were silent for a while. Then Albert said: ‘That is why I wish I could make time stand still. Here am I on this stimulating and most enjoyable holiday with the best companion in the world, with the possibility of a grand marriage before me. If only we could be as we are forever … happy, together, everything waiting to fall into my hands.’
    ‘Who would have thought to hear you talk like this! It is quite fanciful. We have to have our separation and that is going to be very painful to us both. I fancy you will remember me sometimes, brother, when you luxuriate in the glories of Windsor and Buckingham Palace.’
    ‘I am happy now here in the fresh air with you, Ernest.’
    ‘It is nothing to the happiness you will know as King of England with little Queen Victoria beside you ready to love, honour and obey.’
    Albert looked so sad that Ernest sought to change his mood by warning him that Little Victoria appeared to him to have quite a temper of her own so he need not think it was going to be very easy.
    ‘All the more reason,’ said Albert, ‘for me to wish this happy time never to end.’
    ‘Well, if you can make time stand still, brother, you’re a cleverer man than I am.’ Ernest grinned at his brother. ‘Which,’ he added, ‘is as it should be. Only clever Albert is good enough for Victoria.’

    Albert was right. The parting came very soon. After a brief spell at the university Ernest was to go to Dresden to undergo a course of military instruction and Albert was to take a Grand Tour of Europe in the company of Baron Stockmar. There was another member of the party, Sir Francis Seymour, a young soldier whom Leopold had requested to be Albert’s companion and to converse with him always in English.
    The brothers were heartbroken at their parting but for Albert at least there was a good deal to interest him. He loved the arts, and in Rome and Florence found much to his taste. He was aware of the Baron’s critical eye but at the same time the old man seemed to have an affection for him; and Sir Francis Seymour in some ways made up for the loss of his brother. Travel was exciting; and this exploration of the world’s art treasures, plus new and magnificent scenery, was indeed an education. During the tour he continued to study. It was a life which appealed to him, getting up at six in the morning and working until dinner which he took at two o’clock; he rarely drank wine and took water at all meals; he was in bed by nine o’clock. He played the piano and organ whenever possible; he sang and composed his songs. It was a good life. If Ernest could have shared it he would have been happy.
    Stockmar, in spite of his growing affection, was not entirely satisfied with his protégé. He wrote to Leopold that the young man was intelligent, kind, friendly; his intentions were good but he rarely exerted himself. It was not so much that he was lazy but that he