Lady Marlborough still retained her post and her apartments at Whitehall.

Her husband still resided with her; and still the King and Queen gave no sign of displeasure.

At length the haughty and vindictive Countess, emboldened by their patience, determined to brave them face to face, and accompanied her mistress one evening to the drawingroom at Kensington.

This was too much even for the gentle Mary.
She would indeed have expressed her indignation before the crowd which surrounded the card tables, had she not remembered that her sister was in a state which entitles women to peculiar indulgence.

Nothing was said that night; but on the following day a letter from the Queen was delivered to the Princess.