and his shameless corruption, speedily alienated the people from
their monarch. Above all, the cardinal was supposed to be the tool
of the French king, and to represent the policy which had for its
object the dismemberment of the Spanish monarchy and the aggrandizement
of France.

That Louis had such designs was undoubted, and, if properly managed
and bribed, Portocarrero would have been a pliant instrument
in his hands; but the cardinal was soon estranged by the constant
interference by the French agents in his own measures of government,
and therefore turned against France that power of intrigue which
he had recently used in her favor. He pretended to be devoted to
France, and referred even the most minute details of government
to Paris for approbation, with the double view of disgusting Louis
with the government of Spain and of enraging the Spanish people at
the constant interference of Louis.

Philip, however, found a new and powerful ally in the hearts of
the people by his marriage with Maria Louisa, daughter of the Duke
of Savoy--a beautiful girl of fourteen years old, who rapidly
developed into a graceful and gifted woman, and became the darling
of the Spanish people, and whose intellect, firmness, and courage
guided and strengthened her weak but amiable husband. For a time the
power of Spain and France united overshadowed Europe, the trading
interests of England and Holland were assailed, and a French army
assembled close to the Flemish frontier.

The indignation of the Dutch overcame their fears, and they yielded
to the quiet efforts which King William was making, and combined
with England and Austria in a grand alliance against France, the