January, 1662-
63. "It appears from the books of the Lord Steward's office...
that Lord Chesterfield set out for the country on the 12th May,
1663, and, from his 'Short Notes' referred to in the Memoirs before
his Correspondence, that he remained at Bretby, in Derbyshire, with
his wife, throughout the summer of that year" ("Story of Nell Gwyn,"
1852, p. 189).]

(a virtuous lady, daughter to my Lord of Ormond); and so much, that the
duchess of York hath complained to the King and her father about it, and
my Lady Chesterfield is gone into the country for it. At all which I
am sorry; but it is the effect of idleness, and having nothing else to
employ their great spirits upon. Thence with Mr. Creede and Mr. Moore
(who is got upon his legs and come to see my Lord) to Wilkinson's, and
there I did give them and Mr. Howe their dinner of roast beef, cost me
5s., and after dinner carried Mr. Moore as far as Paul's in a coach,
giving him direction about my law business, and there set him down, and
I home and among my workmen, who happened of all sorts to meet to their
making an end of a great many jobbs, so that after to-morrow I shall
have but a little plastering and all the painting almost to do, which
was good content to me. At night to my office, and did business; and
there came to me Mr. Wade and Evett, who have been again with their
prime intelligencer, a woman, I perceive: and though we have missed
twice, yet they bring such an account of the probability of the truth
of the thing, though we are not certain of the place, that we shall set
upon it once more; and I am willing and hopefull in it. So we resolved
to set upon it again on Wednesday morning; and the woman herself will be
there in a disguise, and confirm us in the place. So they took leave for
the night, and I to my business, and then home to my wife and to supper
and bed, my pain being going away. So by God's great blessing my mind is
in good condition of quiet.

4th. Lay long talking pleasantly with my wife in bed, it having rained,
and do still, very much all night long. Up and to the office, where
we sat till noon. This morning we had news by letters that Sir Richard
Stayner is dead at sea in the Mary, which is now come into Portsmouth
from Lisbon; which we are sorry for, he being a very stout seaman. But
there will be no great miss of him for all that. Dined at home with my
wife, and all the afternoon among my workmen, and at nig