Chapter 4

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