overtaken with long, intricate, and new proposals; but I hope God
will direct me, whom I do seek, and shall not wilfully transgress my
instructions.

"When I speak with the Queen, she seems to be satisfied; and then
some of the grandees seek to persuade her to a contrary opinion, and
to keep me from her, and lay objections in the way to cross it (for
we want no enemies here). I then endeavour again to satisfy the
Queen, and break through their designs as well as I can; to do
which, and to get a good despatch against all opposition, and yet so
as not to supplicate anything from them, nor in the least to
prostitute the honour of my Lord Protector and of the Commonwealth,
or to prejudice them, is a task hard enough for a great favourite,
much more hard for a stranger, and whose differing principles may
render him the less acceptable. However, I shall hope that the Lord
will direct me for the best, whether they agree with my judgement or
not.

"If I can conclude with them, I shall presently be upon my return,
and hope within a week or two to receive his Highness's order to
give me leave to come home. What I cannot consent to or obtain at
present, I presume they will be contented to have referred to a
future agreement, wherein there can be no prejudice (in my humble
opinion) to your affairs.

"I ask your pardon for my tedious informations, wherein I take no
pleasure; but supposing the business to require it, I presume you
will excuse

"Your very affectionate friend to serve you,