e's, we come
to no issue, nor any money promised, or like to be had, and yet the
worke must be done. Here I perceive Sir G. Carteret had prepared himself
to answer a choque of Sir W. Coventry, by offering of himself to shew
all he had paid, and what is unpaid, and what moneys and assignments he
hath in his hands, which, if he makes good, was the best thing he ever
did say in his life, and the best timed, for else it must have fallen
very foule on him. The meeting done I away, my wife and they being come
back and staying for me at the gate. But, Lord! to see how afeard I was
that Sir W. Coventry should have spyed me once whispering with Sir G.
Carteret, though not intended by me, but only Sir G. Carteret come to me
and I could not avoyde it. So home, they set me down at the 'Change,
and I to the Crowne, where my Lord Bruncker was come and several of the
Virtuosi, and after a small supper and but little good discourse I with
Sir W. Batten (who was brought thither with my Lord Bruncker) home,
where I find my wife gone to Mrs. Mercer's to be merry, but presently
come in with Mrs. Knipp, who, it seems, is in towne, and was gone
thither with my wife and Mercer to dance, and after eating a little
supper went thither again to spend the whole night there, being W. Howe
there, at whose chamber they are, and Lawd Crisp by chance. I to bed.

15th. Up, and my wife not come home all night. To the office, where sat
all the morning. At noon to Starky's, a great cooke in Austin Friars,
invited by Colonell Atkins, and a good dinner for Colonell Norwood
and his friends, among others Sir Edward Spragg and others, but ill
attendance. Before dined, called on by my wife in a coach, and so I took
leave, and then with her and Knipp and Mercer (Mr. Hunt newly come
out of the country being there also come to see us) to Mr. Hales, the
paynter's, having set down Mr. Hunt by the way. Here Mr. Hales' begun my
wife in the posture we saw one of my Lady Peters, like a St. Katharine.

[It was the fashion at this time to be painted as St. Catherine, in
compliment to the queen.]

While he painted, Knipp, and Mercer, and I, sang; and by and by comes
Mrs. Pierce, with my name in her bosom for her Valentine, which will
cost me money. But strange how like his very first dead colouring is,
that it did me good to see it, and pleases me mightily, and I believe
will be a noble picture. Thence with them all as far as Fleete Streete,
and there set Mercer