But it was also noticed that sometimes in such moments of doubt and hesitation Her Majesty's looks would fix themselves upon John Brown.
Eventually, the "simple mountaineer" became almost a state personage.
The influence which he wielded was not to be overlooked.

Lord Beaconsfield was careful, from time to time, to send courteous messages to "Mr.Brown" in his letters to the Queen, and the French Government took particular pains to provide for his comfort during the visits of the English Sovereign to France.

It was only natural that among the elder members of the royal family he should not have been popular, and that his failings--for failings he had, though Victoria would never notice his too acute appreciation of Scotch whisky--should have been the subject of acrimonious comment at Court.

But he served his mistress faithfully, and to ignore him would be a sign of disrespect to her biographer.

For the Queen, far from making a secret of her affectionate friendship, took care to publish it to the world.