There was great joy at Versailles, greater than in the kingdom; the sole aspiration was for peace.
An unexpected assistance was at hand.

Queen Anne, wearied with the cupidity and haughtiness of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, had given them notice to quit; the friends of the duke had shared his fall, and the Tories succeeded the Whigs in power.

The chancellor of the exchequer, Harley, soon afterwards Earl of Oxford, and the secretary of state, St.John, who became Lord Bolingbroke, were inclined to peace.
Advances were made to France.

A French priest, Abbe Gautier, living in obscurity in England, arrived in Paris during January, 1711; he went to see M.de Torcy at Versailles.

"Do you want peace ?" said he.