back, and led her home, it being now ten at night; and so got a link; and,
walking towards home, just at my entrance into the ruines at St.
Dunstan's, I was met by two rogues with clubs, who come towards us. So I
went back, and walked home quite round by the wall, and got well home, and
to bed weary, but pleased at my day's pleasure, but yet displeased at my
expence, and time I lose.

24th. Up betimes, and by water to White Hall, to the Duke of York, and
there hear that this day Hopis and Temple purpose to bring in the petition
against Sir W. Coventry, which I am sorry for, but hope he will get out of
it. Here I presented Mrs. Pett and her condition to Mr. Wren for his
favour, which he promised us. Thence to Lord Brouncker and sat and talked
with him, who thinks the Parliament will, by their violence and delay in
money matters, force the King to run any hazard, and dissolve them.
Thence to Ducke Lane, and there did overlook a great many of Monsieur
Fouquet's library, that a bookseller hath bought, and I did buy one
Spanish [work], "Los Illustres Varones."

[Nicholas Fouquet, "Surintendant des Finances" in France, had built
at Vaux a house which surpassed in magnificence any palace belonging
to Louis XIV., prior to the erection of Versailles, and caused much
envy to all the Court, especially to Colbert. Fouquet died at
Pignerol in 1680, after nineteen years' incarceration; and whilst
Pepys was buying his books in London, Colbert had become prime
minister in France, and Colbert's brother ambassador in England.
The 'viper' had caught the 'squirrel'!--B.]

Here did I endeavour to see my pretty woman that I did baiser in las
tenebras a little while depuis. And did find her sofa in the book[shop],
but had not la confidence para alter a elle. So lost my pains. But will