Chapter 5

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 share in the Treaty of Utrecht--At the culminating point of her greatness, a humiliating catastrophe is impending--Philip negotiates for the erection of a territory into a sovereignty for Madame des Ursins--The sudden death of Queen Marie Louise causes a serious conjunction for the Princess--Her power begins to totter 264

III.--The Princess finds herself friendless in Spain--Suspicions and slanders rife with regard to the relations existing between her and the King--The projected creation of a sovereignty fails, through the abandonment of England--Philip, in consequence, refuses to sign the Treaty of Utrecht, but Louis XIV. compels the King and Princess to yield--Their _tetes-a-tetes_ causing great scandal, the King suddenly orders the Princess to find him a wife 272

IV.--Among the Princesses eligible to become Philip's consort, he chooses the Princess of Parma--Alberoni deceives Madame des Ursins as to the character of Elizabeth Farnese--The Camerara-Mayor's prompt and cruel disgrace at the hands of the new Queen--She is arrested and carried to St. Jean de Luz--Her courage under adversity--She returns to Rome, and dies there 287