The queen was sensibly affected with these dissensions, which she interposed her advice and authority, by turns, to appease; but their mutual animosity continued to rankle under an exterior accommodation.

The interest of Bolingbroke was powerfully supported by sir Simon Harcourt, the chancellor, sir William Wyndham, and Mr.Secretary Bromley.

Oxford perceived his own influence was on the wane, and began to think of retirement.

Meanwhile the earl of Peterborough was appointed ambassador to the king of Sicily, and set out for Turin.

The queen retired to Windsor, where she was seized with a very dangerous inflammatory fever.