first to the office; where we sat all the morning till noon, and then
broke up; and I bid them adieu for a week, having the Duke's leave got me
by Mr. Coventry. To whom I did give thanks for my newes yesterday of the
Duke's words to my Lord Sandwich concerning me, which he took well; and do
tell me so freely his love and value of me, that my mind is now in as
great a state of quiett as to my interest in the office, as I could ever
wish to be. I should this day have dined at Sir W. Pen's at a venison
pasty with the rest of our fellows, but I could not get time, but sent for
a bit home, and so between one and two o'clock got on horseback at our
back gate, with my man Will with me, both well-mounted on two grey horses.
We rode and got to Ware before night; and so resolved to ride on to
Puckeridge, which we did, though the way was bad, and the evening dark
before we got thither, by help of company riding before us; and among
others, a gentleman that took up at the same inn, the Falcon, with me, his
name Mr. Brian, with whom I supped, and was very good company, and a
scholar. He tells me, that it is believed the Queen is with child, for
that the coaches are ordered to ride very easily through the streets.
After supper we paid the reckoning together, and so he to his chamber and
I to bed, very well, but my feet being much cramped by my new hard boots
that I bought the other day of Wotton were in much pain. Will lay in
another bed in the chamber with me.

10th. Up, and between eight and nine mounted again; but my feet so
swelled with yesterday's pain, that I could not get on my boots, which
vexed me to the blood, but was forced to pay 4s. for a pair of old shoes
of my landlord's, and so rid in shoes to Cambridge; but the way so good
that but for a little rain I had got very well thither, and set up at the
Beare: and there being spied in the street passing through the town my
cozen Angier came to me, and I must needs to his house, which I did; and
there found Dr. Fairbrother, with a good dinner, a barrel of good oysters,