Free Stars & Stripes Forever by Harry Harrison Page A

despair. Leaning on her arm he shuffled across the room. He was not wearing his slippers, but the long underwear he insisted on using had fabric feet sewed to them, offering some protection against the cold. Dr. Jenner lit the bedside lamp as Victoria saw her husband back to bed. Carefully walking backward, Dr. Jenner bowed and left.
    "You will sleep now," she said.
    "I cannot."
    "Then I will read to you. Your favorite, Walter Scott."
    "Some other time. Tell me—is there still talk of war with the Americans?"
    "You must not disturb yourself with politics. Let others concern themselves now with affairs of state."
    "I should have done more. That ultimatum should not have been sent."
    "Hush, my dearest. If I cannot read to you from Scott—why then you have always been fond of the writings of von Ense."
    Albert nodded agreement and she fetched the book from the shelf. The memoirs of Varnhagen von Ense, the famous soldier and diplomat, indeed was his favorite. And hearing her read in German seemed to soothe him somewhat. After some time his breathing steadied and she saw that he was asleep. Lowering the lamp she found her way by the light of the flickering fire, in the grate to his dressing room, and to her improvised bed.
    The next day was December eleventh and the coldest day of this coldest month on record. England and London were in the grip of the deepest of deep frosts. Here, in this stone castle, if possible the chill and dank corridors of WindsorPalace were colder than ever before. The servants stoked the many fires, yet still the cold prevailed.
    At noon Albert was still in his bed, still asleep. Victoria's daughter, Alice, was at her side when Dr. Jenner came to examine his patient.
    "He is sleeping well, isn't he?" the Queen asked with some apprehension. "This is a change for the better?"
    The doctor nodded, but did not speak. He touched his hand to his patient's forehead before taking his pulse.
    "This is a turning point," Jenner said with an inadvertent air of deepest gloom. "But he is very weak you must remember—"
    "What are you saying? Are you giving up hope?"
    The doctor's silence was answer enough.
    Victoria no longer protested at additional medical support. There were other doctors in attendance now, five specialists who aided Jenner, who spoke to each other in murmured whispers that the Queen could not hear. When she became upset Alice led her gently from the room, sent for tea.
    For two days the Prince lay very still, his face ashen, his breathing labored. Victoria never left his side, holding his pale hand with its weakening pulse. In mid-afternoon of the second day clouds broke and a ray of golden sunlight illuminated the room, touching his face with a sheen of color. His eyes opened and he looked up at her.
    "The Trent Affair..." he whispered, but could not go on. Victoria wept silently, clasping his cold and limp hand.
    At sunset the children were brought in to see their father. Beatrice was too young to be allowed to attend this depressing scene, but Lenchen, Louise, Alice and Arthur were all there. Even Bertie came by train from Cambridge for a final visit to his father. Unhappily Alfie and Leopold were traveling abroad and could not be reached. Vickie, pregnant again, could not make the exhausting trip from Berlin. Still, four of their children were present in the sick room, clutching hands, trying to fathom what was happening to their father. Even Bertie, always at odds with his father, was silent now.
    The following morning, in bright sunlight, a military band playing faintly in the distance, Albert sank into a final coma, Victoria still at his side. His eyes were open now, but he did not move or speak. Her vigil lasted all of that day and into evening and night.
    At a little before eleven o'clock he drew several long breaths. Victoria clutched at his hand as his breathing ceased.
    "Oh! My dear darling!" she cried aloud as she dropped to her knees in distracted despair. "My Angel has gone to rest