‘To my heart’s best treasure’

THE couple’s enduring friendship is laid bare in a card sent on January 1, 1877, by Victoria to Brown.

The card – which has a picture of a chambermaid on it – is addressed: “To my best friend JB / From his best friend V.R.I.”

Inside, it read: “I send my serving maiden, With New Year letter laden, Its words will prove, My faith and love, To you my heart’s best treasure, Then smile on her and smile on me, And let your answer loving be, And give me pleasure.”