Chapter IV: Book III

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 _têtes-à-têtes_ 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

BOOK IV.

I.--_Closing Scenes_--The Princess des Ursins 301

II.--Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough 307