ou lost three shillings and fourpence t'other
night at Stoyte's, yes, you did, and Presto stood in a corner, and
saw you all the while, and then stole away. I dream very often I am in
Ireland, and that I have left my clothes and things behind me, and have
not taken leave of anybody; and that the Ministry expect me tomorrow,
and such nonsense.

21. I would not for a guinea have a letter from you till this goes; and
go it shall on Saturday, faith. I dined with Mrs. Vanhomrigh, to save my
shin, and then went on some business to the Secretary, and he was not at
home.

22. Yesterday was a short day's journal: but what care I? what cares
saucy Presto? Darteneuf(13) invited me to dinner to-day. Do not you
know Darteneuf? That's the man that knows everything, and that everybody
knows; and that knows where a knot of rabble are going on a holiday, and
when they were there last: and then I went to the Coffee-house. My shin
mends, but is not quite healed: I ought to keep it up, but I don't; I
e'en let it go as it comes. Pox take Parvisol and his watch! If I do
not receive the ten-pound bill I am to get towards it, I will neither
receive watch nor chain; so let Parvisol know.

23. I this day appointed the Duke of Ormond to meet him at Ned
Southwell's, about an affair of printing Irish Prayer-Books, etc.,(14)
but the Duke never came. There Southwell had letters that two packets
are taken; so if MD writ then, the letters are gone; for they are
packets coming hither. Mr. Harley is not yet well, but his extravasated
blood continues, and I doubt he will not be quite well in a good while:
I find you have heard of the fact by Southwell's letters from Ireland:
what do you think of it? I dined with Sir John Perceval,(15) and saw his
lady sitting in the bed, in the forms of a lying-in woman; and coming
home my sore shin itched, and I forgot what it was, and rubbed off the
scab, and blood came; but I am now got into bed, and have put on alum
curd, and it is almost well. Lord Rivers told me yesterday a piece of
bad news, as a secret, that the Pretender is going to be married to
the Duke of Savoy's daughter.(16) 'Tis very bad if it be true. We were
walking in the Mall with some Scotch lords, and he could not tell it
until they were gone, and he bade me tell it to none but the Secretary
of State and MD. This goes tomorrow, and I have no room but to bid my
dearest little MD good-night. 24. I will now seal up this letter, and
send it; for I reck