them to starve. The black ingratitude she experienced was enough to turn the milk of human kindness to gall and wormwood in a temperament such as the Duchess of Marlborough possessed. How she was requited by the Hill family is best told in her own words.

1

She says, "I had done so much to oblige her (Abigail) without having ever done anything to offend her, that it was long before I could bring myself to think her other than a true friend, or forbear rejoicing at any instance of favour shown her by the Queen. I observed that she was grown more shy of coming to me, but I imputed this to her peculiar moroseness of temper, and for some time made no other reflection upon it.

"The first thing which led me into inquiries about her conduct was being told (in the summer of 1707) that my cousin Hill was privately married to Mr. Masham. I went to her and asked if it were true. She owned it was, and begged my pardon for having concealed it from me. As much reason as I had to take ill this reserve in her behaviour, I was willing to impute it to bashfulness and want of breeding rather than to anything worse. I embraced her with my usual tenderness, and very heartily wished her joy; and then, turning the discourse, entered into her concerns in as friendly a manner as possible, contriving how to accommodate her with lodgings by removing her sister into some of my own. I then inquired of her very kindly whether the Queen knew of her marriage, and very innocently offered my service if she needed it to make that matter easy. She had by this time learnt the art of dissimulation pretty well, and answered with an air of unconcernedness, that

1 "Conduct."

'the bedchamber women had already acquainted the Queen with it,' hoping by this answer to divert any further examination into the matter. But I went pre

sently to the Queen and asked her, 'why she had not been so kind as to tell me of my cousin's marriage,' expostulating with her upon the point, and putting her in mind of what she used to say to me out of Montaigne, 'that it was no breach of promise of secrecy to tell such a friend anything, because it was no more than telling it to one's self.' All the answer I could obtain from her Majesty was this, 'I have a hundred times bid Masham tell it you and she would not.'

"The conduct both of the Queen and Mrs. Masham convinced me that there was some mystery in the affair, and thereupon I set myself to inquire into it.

"In less than a week's time I discovered 'that my cousin was become an absolute favourite; that the Queen herself was present at her marriage in Dr. Arbuthnot's lodgings,' at which time her Majesty had called for a round sum out of the privy purse; 'that Mrs. Masham came often to the Queen, when the prince was asleep, and was generally two hours every day in private with her.'

"I likewise discovered beyond dispute that Mr. Harley's 'correspondence and interest at court was by means of this woman.'

"I was struck with astonishment at such an instance of ingratitude, and should not have believed, if there had been any room for doubting.

"Even the husband of Mrs. Masham had obligations to me. It was at my instance that he was first made a page, then equerry, and afterwards groom of the bedchamber to the prince; for all which he himself thank'd me, as for favours procured by my means.

"My Lord Marlborough was at first no less in

credulous than I, as appears by the following letter from him, in answer to one from me on this subject :

"MELDEST, June 3, 1707.

"The wisest thing is to have to do with as few people as possible. If you are sure that Mrs. Masham speaks of business to the Queen, I should think, you might with some caution tell of it, which would do good. For she certainly must be grateful and will mind what you say.'

Sarah continues, "It became easy now to decypher many particulars, which had hitherto remained mysterious, and my reflection quickly brought to mind many passages which had seemed odd and unaccountable, but had left no impressions of suspicion or jealousy. Particularly I remembered that a long while before this, being with the Queen (to whom I had gone privately by a secret passage from my lodgings to the bedchamber), on a sudden this woman, not knowing I was there, came in with the boldest and gayest air possible, but upon sight of me stopped; and immediately changing her manner and making a most solemn courtesy, 'Did your Majesty ring?' and then went out again. This singular behaviour needed no interpreter now to make it understood. But not to dwell on such trifling incidents, as soon as I had got a thorough insight into her management, I wrote her the following letter:

"Sept. 23, 1707.

"Since the conversation I had with you at your lodgings, several things have happened to confirm me in what I was hard to believe, that you have made me returns very unsuitable to what I might have expected. I always speak my mind so plainly that I should have told you so myself, if I had the opportunity which I

hoped for. But being now so near parting, think this way of letting you know to be the least uneasy to you as well as to your humble servant,

"S. MARLBOROUGH.

"Though I was to go to Woodstock the next day, I stayed at Windsor almost all the morning to wait her answer. This could not be had so soon, it being necessary to consult with her great director (Harley) in so nice a matter. However, an answer was sent after me, the whole frame and stile of which showed it to be the genuine product of an artful man, who knew perfectly well the management of such an affair.

"WINDSOR, Sept. 24, 1707.

"While I was expecting a message from your Grace to wait upon you according to your commands, last night I received a letter which surprises me no less than it afflicts me, because it lays a most heavy charge upon me of an ungrateful behaviour to your grace. Her Majesty was pleased to tell me that you was angry with me for not acquainting you with my marriage. I did believe, after so generous a pardon, your Grace would think no more of that. I am confident by the expressions of your letter that somebody has told a malicious lie of me to your Grace, from which it is impossible for me to vindicate myself till I know the crime I am accused of. I am sure, madam, your goodness cannot deny me what the meanest may ask the greatest, I mean justice to know my accuser. Without that, all friendship must be at the mercy of every malicious liar, as they are, who have so barbarously and unjustly brought me under your displeasure, the greatest unhappiness that could befall me. I therefore make it my most humble request to your Grace, that if ever I had the least share of your friend

ship, you would be pleased to give me that parting token to let me know who this wicked person is, and then I do not doubt but I shall make it plain how much they have wronged me, as well as imposed upon your Grace. As my affliction is very great, you will, I hope, in compassion let me hear from you, and believe me, what I really am, madam, your grace's most humble servant,

"A. HILL.'

"As I believe nobody at this time doubts whether the writer of this letter was practising to undermine me with the Queen, I shall make no reflections upon it. My answer to it was in these terms:

"(WOODSTOCK).

"I received your letter upon the road to this place, and I can assure you the occasion of my complaints did not proceed from any ill offices that had been done you to me, but from my own observation, which makes the impression much the stronger. But I think the subject is not very proper for a letter, and therefore I must defer it till we meet, and give you no further trouble at this time, from your most humble servant,

"'S. MARLBorough.'

On the duchess's return to St. James's she expected Mrs. Masham would call upon her to clear up the misunderstanding between them, but twelve days elapsed before she received even a message from her cousin, although they were both living under the same roof.

"Forgiveness to the injured doth belong,

But they ne'er pardon who have done the wrong,"

might well apply to Mrs. Masham.

"At length," says Duchess Sarah, "having one night