He brought me a very nice letter from Donna Maria.
I am anxiously waiting to hear the issue of the battle between the Carlists and Christinos, which is, they say, to decide a great deal.[40] Now farewell, dearest Uncle.

I beg my affectionate love to my dear Aunt, and my most respectful _hommages_ to the Members of the Family with you.

Believe me, always, your affectionate Niece, VICTORIA.
Old Pozzo[41] dined here last Wednesday, and he gave me a long, I must say clever, dissertation about the state of France, during dinner-time.
[Footnote 40: After an obstinate investment by the Carlists, Espartero had relieved Bilbao on Christmas Day, 1836.

The Christino commanders then began to concert a combined movement on the Carlist lines, which stretched from Irun to Villafranca.] [Footnote 41: Count Pozzo di Borgo (1764-1842), Russian Ambassador.

By birth a Corsican and a devoted patriot, he was a life-long opponent of Napoleon and his designs.