from your majesty's service, I cannot, in honour, remain any
longer at court." She then expatiated, as usual, on her own
services, and on the friendship which the queen had conde-
scended to entertain for her; and as a recompence, concluded
with requesting permission to resign her offices in favour of
her two elder daughters, who from their rank, alliance, and
character, were well calculated to merit such a favour.

After listening with seeming embarrassment to this long
appeal, the queen evaded compliance, by affecting much
kindness, and repeating, "You and I must never part." The
duchess, however, was not diverted from her purpose, and
renewed her solicitations, that if circumstances should render
her retreat necessary, her majesty would comply with this
request. The queen, pressed by her importunities, and in-
timidated by the presence of a person whom she equally
feared and disliked, renewed the declaration, "that they
should never part." But added, should that even be the case,
she would transfer the offices to two of her daughters; and
did not hesitate to bind that promise by a solemn assevera-
tion. The duchess took her leave, kissing the queen's hand;
and after the duke and Godolphin had succeeded in extorting
the dismission of Harley, the queen yielded to her continued
applications, by confirming in writing the promise which
had been verbally given. Still, however, the duchess had
reason to feel that her attendance was unwelcome; and on
the departure of her husband to the Continent, she wrote a
letter, expressing her resolution not to incommode the queen
by her presence, but artfully recalled to recollection the pro-
mise which she had before extorted. ^*

"March 31. -- Madam; upon Lord Marlborough's going into Hol-
land, I believe your majesty will neither be surprised nor displeased, to
hear I am gone into the country, since by your very hard and uncommon
usage of me, you have convinced all sorts of people, as well as myself,
that nothing would be so uneasy to you as my near attendance. Upon
this account, I thought it might not be improper, at my going into the
country, to acquaint your majesty, that even while Lord Marlborough
continues in your service, as well as when he finds himself obliged to
leave it, if your majesty thinks fit to dispose of my employments, accord-
ing to the solemn assurances you have been pleased to give me, you
shall meet with all the submission and acknowledgments imaginable."†

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