she was tired of the neglect or annoyed by the railleries of her exacting favorite.  By degrees the humble lady’s-maid obtained the same ascendency over the Queen that had been exercised by the mistress of the robes,—­in the one case secured by humility, assiduous attention, and constant flatteries; in the other, obtained by talent and brilliant fascinations.  Abigail was ruled by Harley; Sarah was ruled by no one but her husband, who understood her caprices and resentments, and seldom directly opposed her.  Moreover, she was a strong-minded woman, who could listen to reason after her fits of passion had passed away.

The first thing of note which occurred, showing to the Duchess that her influence was undermined, was the refusal of the Queen to allow Lord Cowper, the lord chancellor, to fill up the various livings belonging to the Crown, in spite of the urgent solicitations of the Duchess.  This naturally produced a coolness between Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Morley.  Harley was now the confidential adviser of the Queen, and counselled her “to go alone,”—­that is, to throw off the shackles which she had too long ignominiously worn; and Anne at once appointed high-church divines—­Tories of course—­to the two vacant bishoprics.  The under-stream of faction was flowing unseen, but deep and strong, which the infatuated Duchess did not suspect.

The great victory of Ramillies (1706) gave so much eclat to Marlborough that the outbreak between his wife and the Queen was delayed for a time.  That victory gave a new lease of power to the Whigs.  Harley and St. John, the secret enemies of the Duke, welcomed him with their usual smiles and flatteries, and even voted for the erection of Blenheim, one of the most expensive palaces ever built in England.

Meanwhile Harley pursued his intrigues to effect the downfall of the Duchess.  Miss Hill, unknown to her great relative and patroness, married Mr. Masham, equerry to Prince George, who was shortly after made a brigadier-general and peer.  Nothing could surpass the indignation of the Duchess when she heard of this secret marriage.  That it should be concealed from her while it was known to the Queen, showed conclusively that her power over Anne was gone.  And, still further, she perceived that she was supplanted by a relative whom she had raised from obscurity.  She now comprehended the great influence of Harley at court, and also the declining favor of her husband.  It was a bitter reflection to the proud Duchess that the alienation of the Queen was the result of her own folly and pride rather than of royal capriciousness.  She now paid no inconsiderable penalty for the neglect of her mistress and the gratification of her pride.  Pride has ever been the chief cause of the downfall of royal favorites.  It ruined Louvois, Wolsey, and Thomas Cromwell; it broke the chain which bound Louis XIV. to the imperious Montespan.  It ever goes before destruction.  The Duchess of Marlborough