hand, but did not need
to use it, but got safe into the coach again, but lost my belt by the
shift, not missing it till I come to Hampton Court. At the Wicke found
Sir J. Minnes and Sir W. Batten at a lodging provided for us by our
messenger, and there a good dinner ready. After dinner took coach and to
Court, where we find the King, and Duke, and Lords, all in council; so
we walked up and down: there being none of the ladies come, and so much
the more business I hope will be done. The Council being up, out comes
the King, and I kissed his hand, and he grasped me very kindly by
the hand. The Duke also, I kissed his, and he mighty kind, and Sir
W. Coventry. I found my Lord Sandwich there, poor man! I see with a
melancholy face, and suffers his beard to grow on his upper lip more
than usual. I took him a little aside to know when I should wait on
him, and where: he told me, and that it would be best to meet at his
lodgings, without being seen to walk together. Which I liked very well;
and, Lord! to see in what difficulty I stand, that I dare not walk with
Sir W. Coventry, for fear my Lord or Sir G. Carteret should see me; nor
with either of them, for fear Sir W. Coventry should. After changing a
few words with Sir W. Coventry, who assures me of his respect and love
to me, and his concernment for my health in all this sickness, I went
down into one of the Courts, and there met the King and Duke; and the
Duke called me to him. And the King come to me of himself, and told me,
"Mr. Pepys," says he, "I do give you thanks for your good service all
this year, and I assure you I am very sensible of it." And the Duke
of Yorke did tell me with pleasure, that he had read over my discourse
about pursers, and would have it ordered in my way, and so fell from one
discourse to another. I walked with them quite out of the Court into the
fields, and then back to my Lord Sandwich's chamber, where I find him
very melancholy and not well satisfied, I perceive, with my carriage to
Sir G. Carteret, but I did satisfy him and made him confess to me, that
I have a very hard game to play; and told me he was sorry to see it, and
the inconveniences which likely may fall upon me with him; but, for all
that, I am not much afeard, if I can but keepe out of harm's way in
not being found too much concerned in my Lord's or Sir G. Carteret's
matters, and that I will not be if I can helpe it. He hath got over his
business of the prizes, so far as to have a pr