itelocke to have audiences, by saying she was
busy or sick, when, at the same time, Piementelle and others were
admitted to her presence, and for two or three hours together discoursed
with her. This was resented and spoken of by Whitelocke so as it might
come to the Queen's ear.

_March 28, 1654._

[SN: The Swedes desire to defer the treaty until the new reign.]

After the master of the ceremonies had dined with Whitelocke, and was in
a good humour, he desired Whitelocke to withdraw from the rest of the
strangers, and that he might speak privately with him; and going into the
bedchamber, the master told him that he had heard from some that
Whitelocke had expressed a discontent, and the master desired to know if
any had given him offence, or if there were anything wherein the master
might do him service. Whitelocke said he apprehended some occasion of
discontent in that he had attended here near four months, and had not yet
obtained any answer to his proposals. The master excused the delay in
regard of the Queen's purpose of quitting the Government. Whitelocke said
he believed that occasioned much trouble to her Majesty, and which gave
him cause to doubt that his frequent visits of her Majesty might give her
some inconvenience. He replied that Whitelocke's company was very
agreeable to the Queen, though at present she was overcharged with
business.

_Whitelocke._ I do acknowledge the favours I have received from her
Majesty, and your civilities to me, for which I shall not be ungrateful.

_Mast. Cer._ Would it not be of advantage to your business to attend for
the conclusion of it until the coronation of our new King, to be assented
to by him; by which means the alliance will be more firm than to have it
done by the Queen so near her quitting of the Government?

_Wh._ I shall hardly stay so long a time as till the beginning of the
reign of your new King, nor have I any letters of credence or commission
but to the Queen; and I believe that all acts done by her before her
resignation will be held good, and particularly this touching the
friendship with England, which, I suppose, will be also very agreeable to
his Kingly Highness, and be inviolably observed by him.

_Mast. Cer._ I do not doubt but that the new King will observe the
alliance which the Queen shall make with England, but perhaps it might
better be made with the new King himself; and although you have no
letters of credence to him, yet you may write i