at White Hall. So
I left them, and I to my Lord Chancellor's; and there coming out after
dinner I accosted him, telling him that I was the unhappy Pepys that
had fallen into his high displeasure, and come to desire him to give me
leave to make myself better understood to his Lordship, assuring him
of my duty and service. He answered me very pleasingly, that he was
confident upon the score of my Lord Sandwich's character of me, but that
he had reason to think what he did, and desired me to call upon him some
evening: I named to-night, and he accepted of it. So with my heart light
I to White Hall, and there after understanding by a stratagem, and yet
appearing wholly desirous not to understand Mr. Gauden's price when he
desired to show it me, I went down and ordered matters in our tender
so well that at the meeting by and by I was ready with Mr. Gauden's
and his, both directed him a letter to me to give the board their two
tenders, but there being none but the Generall Monk and Mr. Coventry and
Povy and I, I did not think fit to expose them to view now, but put it
off till Saturday, and so with good content rose. Thence I to the Half
Moone, against the 'Change, to acquaint Lanyon and his friends of our
proceedings, and thence to my Lord Chancellor's, and there heard several
tryals, wherein I perceive my Lord is a most able and ready man. After
all done, he himself called, "Come, Mr. Pepys, you and I will take a
turn in the garden." So he was led down stairs, having the goute, and
there walked with me, I think, above an houre, talking most friendly,
yet cunningly. I told him clearly how things were; how ignorant I was
of his Lordship's concernment in it; how I did not do nor say one word
singly, but what was done was the act of the whole Board. He told me by
name that he was more angry with Sir G. Carteret than with me, and also
with the whole body of the Board. But thinking who it was of the Board
that knew him least, he did place his fear upon me; but he finds that
he is indebted to none of his friends there. I think I did thoroughly
appease him, till he thanked me for my desire and pains to satisfy him;
and upon my desiring to be directed who I should of his servants advise
with about this business, he told me nobody, but would be glad to hear
from me himself. He told me he would not direct me in any thing, that it
might not be said that the Lord Chancellor did labour to abuse the King;
or (as I offered) direct the suspe