keep to himself, and to court Woolfeldt, which he did, and Piementelle
likewise, who came to visit Whitelocke whilst Woolfeldt was with him, and
made the same excuse as he had done for his long absence. They had much
general discourse, but nothing (as usually before) touching Whitelocke's
business. Piementelle said he purposed to depart from Upsal within seven
or eight days; that yesterday he had taken his leave of the Queen, and
came in the next place to take his leave of Whitelocke, who gave him
thanks for this honour, and said he was sorry for the departure of
Piementelle, whereby he should have a very great loss in being deprived
of the acceptable conversation of so honourable a friend.

[SN: Despatches from England complaining of delay.]

Whitelocke received many letters from England; in those from Thurloe he
saith:--

"I am sorry your last letters give us no greater hopes of that which
we so much long for, to wit, your Excellence's speedy return home;
it seeming by them that the treaty was not much advanced since your
last before, notwithstanding the great care and diligence used by
your Excellency for the promoting thereof, as also the great
acceptance you have with the Queen and Court, as is acknowledged by
other public ministers residing there. It is now more than probable
they will expect the issue of the Dutch business before they will
come to any conclusion; as also to see what terms we are like to be
upon with France, that so the Queen may manage her treaty with
England accordingly, which I suppose she may not be long ignorant
of. In the meantime his Highness thinks he is somewhat delayed on
her part."