The anxiety, succeeded by the most heart-breaking suspense, which prevailed in the Royal family is well reflected in the following extracts from the diary of the late Duchess of Teck, who was then at Strelitz:--
“_November 25._--Read Gussy Alix’s letter to Mama about our poor, dear Wales, who was attacked with the fever about the 19th or so, and is under Dr. Gull’s charge, who says it must have its twenty-four days’ course, and that so far all is going on as well as can be expected.
“_December 1._--… When I finished my packet for the messenger, I telegraphed to darling Alix, and flew up to Mama to consult her about it.… From Alix somewhat better news reached us, after a bad telegram at three from dear Alice.
“_December 2._--A rather better account of Wales.
“_December 5._--… Better accounts from Sandringham, but poor Lord Chesterfield dead.
“_December 6._--… Reassuring message from Alice.
“_December 8._--… Opened a telegram with anxious and distressing news from Sandringham; poor dear Wales has had a relapse; his state evidently very critical. _Gott helfe weiter._ We were much upset, and with a heavy heart I closed my packet for the messenger and wrote till dressing-time, though I had much difficulty in settling down to anything.… Mama was very silent all dinner-time, but we never for a moment suspected, what we afterwards learnt had been the case, that she had received a worse telegram at five o’clock, and had in kindness kept it from us.… I wrote _chez moi_ till a most alarming telegram from Alice to Mama was brought me, with which I hastened to Gussy.… We cried over the almost hopeless accounts together, which spoke of the end as not far distant, provided dear Wales did not at once rally, and with despairing hearts we joined the others in the blue drawing-room. Fritz came in presently, and I read him the three telegrams received that day, and a letter from Lady Macclesfield. Later Mama sent for Gussy and me to wish us a sorrowful good night. I then went to my room and wrote till nearly four, feeling sleep out of the question.
“_December 9._--Gussy rushed in with a rather more hopeful telegram: ‘Night quiet, exhaustion not increased, breathing clearer.’ God grant he may yet rally and pull through! It was a relief after all we had undergone, and thank God for it; the agony of suspense was hard to bear.…