The day’s routine, whether in London or at Windsor, was almost invariable.  The morning was devoted to business and Lord M. In the afternoon the whole Court went out riding.  The Queen, in her velvet riding—­habit and a top-hat with a veil draped about the brim, headed the cavalcade; and Lord M. rode beside her.  The lively troupe went fast and far, to the extreme exhilaration of Her Majesty.  Back in the Palace again, there was still time for a little more fun before dinner—­a game of battledore and shuttlecock perhaps, or a romp along the galleries with some children.  Dinner came, and the ceremonial decidedly tightened.  The gentleman of highest rank sat on the right hand of the Queen; on her left—­it soon became an established rule—­sat Lord Melbourne.  After the ladies had left the dining-room, the gentlemen were not permitted to remain behind for very long; indeed, the short time allowed them for their wine-drinking formed the subject—­so it was rumoured—­of one of the very few disputes between the Queen and her Prime Minister;(*) but her determination carried the day, and from that moment after-dinner drunkenness began to go out of fashion.  When the company was reassembled in the drawing-room the etiquette was stiff.  For a few moments the Queen spoke in turn to each one of her guests; and during these short uneasy colloquies the aridity of royalty was apt to become painfully evident.  One night Mr. Greville, the Clerk of the Privy Council, was present; his turn soon came; the middle-aged, hard-faced viveur was addressed by his young hostess.  “Have you been riding to-day, Mr. Greville?” asked the Queen.  “No, Madam, I have not,” replied Mr. Greville.  “It was a fine day,” continued the Queen.  “Yes, Madam, a very fine day,” said Mr. Greville.  “It was rather cold, though,” said the Queen.  “It was rather cold, Madam,” said Mr. Greville.  “Your sister, Lady Frances Egerton, rides, I think, doesn’t she?” said the Queen.  “She does ride sometimes, Madam,” said Mr. Greville.  There was a pause, after which Mr. Greville ventured to take the lead, though he did not venture to change the subject.  “Has your Majesty been riding today?” asked Mr. Greville.  “Oh yes, a very long ride,” answered the Queen with animation.  “Has your Majesty got a nice horse?” said Mr. Greville.  “Oh, a very nice horse,” said the Queen.  It was over.  Her Majesty gave a smile and an inclination of the head, Mr. Greville a profound bow, and the next conversation began with the next gentleman.  When all the guests had been disposed of, the Duchess of Kent sat down to her whist, while everybody else was ranged about the round table.  Lord Melbourne sat beside the Queen, and talked pertinaciously—­very often a propos to the contents of one of the large albums of engravings with which the round table was covered—­until it was half-past eleven and time to go to bed.