The details of those curious battles are unknown to us; but Prince Ernest, who remained in England with his brother for some months, noted them with a friendly and startled eye.

One story, indeed, survives, ill-authenticated and perhaps mythical, yet summing up, as such stories often do, the central facts of the case.

When, in wrath, the Prince one day had locked himself into his room, Victoria, no less furious, knocked on the door to be admitted.

"Who is there ?" he asked.
"The Queen of England" was the answer.

He did not move, and again there was a hail of knocks.