There is a pretty story told of Queen Victoria and Jenny Lind. It
belongs to the year 1848, and shows how the modesty of two women—the
Queen of England, and the Queen of song—made a momentary awkwardness
which the gentle tact of the singer overcame.
It was on a night when Jenny Lind was to sing at her Majesty’s Theatre
that the Queen made her first appearance after the memorable Chartist
day. For the great artist, too, this was a first appearance, for it was
the beginning of her season at a place where the year before she had won
unparalleled fame.
It happened that the Queen entered the royal box at the same moment that
the prima donna stepped upon the stage. Instantly a tumult of
acclamation burst from every corner of the theatre. Jenny Lind modestly
retired to the back of the stage, waiting till the demonstration of
loyalty to the sovereign should subside.
The Queen, refusing to appropriate to herself that which she imagined to
be intended for the artist, made no acknowledgment. The cheering
continued, increased, grew overwhelming, and still there was no
acknowledgment, either from the stage or the royal box.
At length, when the situation became embarrassing, Jenny Lind, with
ready tact, ran forward to the footlights and sang “God Save the Queen,”
which was caught up at the end of the solo by the orchestra, chorus and
audience. The Queen then came to the front of her box and bowed, and the
opera was resumed.—_Youth’s Companion._