me des Ursins--She effects the
ruin of her political rivals and reigns
absolutely in the Councils of the Crown 161

VI.--The Princess makes a false step in her
Statecraft--A blunder and an imbroglio 175

VII.--The Princess quits Madrid by command of Louis
XIV.--After a short exile, she receives
permission to visit Versailles 184

VIII.--The Princess triumphs at Versailles 192

BOOK II.

CHAP. I.--Sarah Jennings and John Churchill 207

II.--State of parties in action on the accession of
Queen Anne--Harley and Bolingbroke aim at
overthrowing the sway of the female
"Viceroy"--Abigail Hill becomes the instrument
of the Duchess's downfall--Squabbles between
the Queen and her Mistress of the Robes 215

III.--Success of the Cabal--The Queen emancipates
herself from all obligations to the Duke and
Duchess of Marlborough--The downfall of the
Duchess and the Whigs resolved upon--The
Duchess's stormy and final interview with
the Queen 233

IV.--The disgrace of the Duchess involves the fall
of the Whigs--Anne demands back the Duchess's
gold keys of office--Extraordinary influence of
Sarah and Abigail on the fortunes of Europe--The
illustrious soldier and his disgraced wife
driven from England 242

BOOK III.

CHAP. I.--Delicate and perilous position of the Princess
des Ursins after the Battle of Almanza--She
effects an important reform by the centralisation
of the different kingdoms of Spain--The Duke of
Orleans heads a faction inimical to the
Princess--She demands and obtains his recall--Her
bold resolution to act in opposition to the timid
policy of Versailles--The loftiness of her past
conduct and character--The victory of Villaviciosa
definitely seats the House of Bourbon on the
throne of Spain 251

II.--The Princess's sha