the road to remember old stories; and come to Brampton at about noon, and
there find my father and sister and brother all well and here laid up our
things, and up and down to see the garden with my father, and the house,
and do altogether find it very pretty; especially the little parlour and
the summerhouses in the garden, only the wall do want greens upon it, and
the house is too low-roofed; but that is only because of my coming from a
house with higher ceilings. But altogether is very pretty; and I bless
God that I am like to have such a pretty place to retire to: and I did
walk with my father without doors, and do find a very convenient way of
laying out money there in building, which will make a very good seat, and
the place deserves it, I think, very well. By and by to dinner, and after
dinner I walked up to Hinchingbroke, where my Lady expected me; and there
spent all the afternoon with her: the same most excellent, good, discreet
lady that ever she was; and, among other things, is mightily pleased with
the lady that is like to be her son Hinchingbroke's wife, which I am
mightily glad of. By and by my wife comes with Willet, my wife in her
velvett vest, which is mighty fine, and becomes her exceedingly. I am
pleased with my Lady Paulina and Anne, who both are grown very proper
ladies, and handsome enough. But a thousand questions my Lady asked me,
till she could think of no more almost, but walked up and down the house,
with me. But I do find, by her, that they are reduced to great straits for
money, having been forced to sell her plate, 8 or L900 worth; and she is
now going to sell a suit of her best hangings, of which I could almost
wish to buy a piece or two, if the pieces will be broke. But the house is
most excellently furnished, and brave rooms and good pictures, so that it
do please me infinitely beyond Audley End. Here we staid till night
walking and talking and drinking, and with mighty satisfaction my Lady
with me alone most of the day talking of my Lord's bad condition to be
kept in Spayne without money and at a great expense, which (as we will
save the family) we must labour to remove. Night being come, we took