or of Bavaria and the duke de Vendome, who commanded the
French forces, had quitted their lines, he advanced to Soignies with
a design to engage them in the plain of Fleuras. But receiving certain
intelligence that the enemy were greatly superior to the allies in
number, by the help of drafts from all the garrisons, he retreated
towards Brussels, and took post at Mildert; while the French advanced
to Gemblours. Both armies lay inactive until the enemy sent off a large
detachment towards Provence. Then the duke of Marlborough and general
D'Auverquerque resolved to attack them in their fortified camp at
Gemblours. But they retreated with such celerity from one post to
another, that the confederates could not come up with them until they
were safely encamped with their right at Pont-a-Tresin, and their left
under the cannon of Lisle, covered with the river Schelde, and secured
by intrenchments. The allies chose their camp at Helchin, and foraged
under the cannon of Tournay, within a league of the enemy; but nothing
could induce them to hazard an engagement; and both armies went into
winter quarters in the latter end of October. The duke of Marlborough
set out for Franckfort, where he conferred with the electors of Mentz,
Hanover, and Palatine, about the operations of the next campaign: then
he returned to the Hague, and having concerted the necessary measures
with the deputies of the states-general, embarked for England in the
beginning of November.

A PArTY FORMED AGAINST MARLBOROUGH.

The queen's private favour was now shifted to a new object. The duchess
of Marlborough was supplanted by Mrs. Masham, her own kinswoman, whom
she had rescued from indigence and obscurity. This favourite succeeded
to that ascendancy over the mind of her sovereign which the duchess had
formerly possessed. She was more humble, pliable, and obliging than her
first patroness, who had played the tyrant, and thwarted the queen in
some of her most respected maxims. Her majesty's prepossession in favour
of the tories and high-churchmen was no longer insolently condemned and
violently opposed. The new confidant conformed to all her prejudices,
and encouraged all her designs with assent and approbation. In political
intrigues she acted as associate, or rather auxiliary, to Mr. Secretary
Harley, who had insinuated himself into the queen's good graces, and
determined to sap the credit of the duke of Marlborough and the earl
of Godolphin. His aim