niece of the Prince de Ligne,

[The Prince de Ligne had no niece, and probably Pepys has made some
mistake in the name. Charles at one time made an offer of marriage
to Mazarin's niece, Hortense Mancini.]

and that he hath two sons already by her: which I am sorry to hear; but
yet am gladder that it should be so, than that the Duke of York and his
family should come to the crown, he being a professed friend to the
Catholiques.

19th. By coach to Whitehall with Colonel Slingsby (carrying Mrs. Turner
with us) and there he and I up into the house, where we met with Sir G.
Carteret: who afterwards, with the Duke of York, my Lord Sandwich, and
others, went into a private room to consult: and we were a little troubled
that we were not called in with the rest. But I do believe it was upon
something very private. We staid walking in the gallery; where we met
with Mr. Slingsby, that was formerly a, great friend of Mons. Blondeau,
who showed me the stamps of the King's new coyne; which is strange to see,
how good they are in the stamp and bad in the money, for lack of skill to
make them. But he says Blondeau will shortly come over, and then we shall
have it better, and the best in the world.

[Peter Blondeau, medallist, was invited to London from Paris in
1649, and appointed by the Council of State to coin their money; but
the moneyers succeeded in driving him out of the country. Soon
after the Restoration he returned, and was appointed engineer to the
mint.]

The Comptroller and I to the Commissioners of Parliament, and after some