affection but even of the respect that was her absolute due. And
Charles, his purpose set, urged to it by the handsome termagant
whom he dared not refuse, stirred out of his indolent good-
nature, turning upon her, storming back, and finally threatening
her with the greater disgrace of seeing herself pack ed home to
Portugal, unless she would submit to the lesser disgrace he
thrust upon her here.

Whether by these or by other arguments he made his will prevail,
prevail it did. Catherine of Braganza swallowed her pride and
submitted. And a very complete submission it was. Lady Castlemaine
was not only installed as a Lady of the Bedchamber, but very soon
we find the Queen treating her with a friendliness that provoked
comment and amazement.

The favourite's triumph was complete, and marked by an increasing
insolence, most marked in her demeanour towards the Chancellor,
of whose views on the subject, as expressed to the King, she was
aware. Consequently she hated him with all the spiteful
bitterness that is inseparable from the nature of such women. And
she hated him the more because, wrapped in his cold contempt, he
moved in utter unconcern of her hostility. In this hatred she
certainly did not lack for allies, members of that licentious
court whose hostility towards the austere Chancellor was begotten
of his own scorn of them. Among them they worked to pull him
down.

The attempt to undermine his influence with the King proving
vain--for Charles was as well aware of its inspiration as of the
Chancellor's value to him--that crew of rakes went laboriously