of to Whitelocke to his full contentment.

Whitelocke had sent this day to Grave John Oxenstiern, to know what time
he might give him a visit; and the Grave returned a proud answer, that it
would not yet be convenient.

_May 17, 1654._

The Resident of Holland came to visit Whitelocke near dinner-time, which
gave him occasion to invite his stay; and he and Sir G. Fleetwood, Mr.
Bloome, Colonel Hambleton, Monsieur Lyllicrone, and two Dutch gentlemen,
did Whitelocke the favour to be at his table. Whitelocke gave the
Resident the respect of the upper end of the table, as he had formerly
done to the French and Spanish Residents; and the Dutch gentleman was
well pleased with it, and with the English entertainment.

[SN: Whitelocke's audience of the Prince.]

Whitelocke, having received so great a respect from the Prince, did again
desire the master of the ceremonies to know what time might suit with the
Prince's leisure to give Whitelocke leave to wait on him. This afternoon
the master came to Whitelocke, and informed him that the Prince had
appointed four o'clock this afternoon to give Whitelocke audience, and
the master said that he would come with the Queen's coaches to bring
Whitelocke to the castle when it was time; and accordingly he came
between five and six o'clock this evening. Whitelocke and his company
went with the master to the castle, and as soon as he was alighted out of
his coach, he was received by the Marshal and gentlemen of the Prince, a
great number of them, at the foot of the stairs; some of them were very
richly habited. They walked first up the stairs, and those of
Whitelocke's train followed them; the master of the ceremonies was on
Whitelocke's left hand. When they came to the guard-chamber, the Prince
in person came thither to receive Whitelocke at the door thereof, the
same place where the Captain of the Queen's Guard used to meet and
receive Whitelocke, who was a little surprised, not expecting such a high
favour as to be met by the Prince so far from the room of audience.

The Prince was plain, in his habit of black silk, accompanied by a great
number of the senators, officers, and nobility, which caused Whitelocke
to know him, and with due respect to salute him, as he did Whitelocke;
and after a few compliments between them, the Prince desired Whitelocke
to advance, who excused himself, but the Prince pressed it; the contest
was almost half an hour who should go first, till the master of