The Ladies | Page 8

he should the rather soberly thank heaven for meat and appettite. But
sorry later, there being nought else but sops and wine. And so, good
friends and to bed, the Storms coming and going, but I think he do love
me at heart, and indeede I do love him well.
28th.--Lord's Day. To church at St. Olave's where a poor dull sermon
from a bawling Scotman, and Sam'l to sleep, a thing unseemly in the
Church, but I awake and did fix in my mind the pattern of my Lady
Batten's Hood, the which I would not ask of her for that we do of late a
little make ourselves strange to her and her family, but the less matter
because I now have it in my Eye. Mrs Lethulier masqued, which
methought a strange thing to be seen at Worshipp, though the great
Ladies do now carry their masques to the Play that none may see them
Blush, or rather, as Sam'l do say, that none may see they cannot blush if
they would. And indeed all the Men do now complain that the Beauties
hide their faces.
Mem. To Buy a masque in Paternoster Row when I do go to Mr Crosby.
This night to bed in the little green chamber--the Chymney swepers in
our own.
1st June.--To my Lady this day and do give her my thankfull gratitude
for that she hath spoke with Sam'l concerning my poore clothes, telling
her of the Lace he did give, she pishing and pshawing it for a meane
gift, remembering the money that do pass through his hands whereof
my Lord hath informed her. Comes Sam'l later to carry me home, and
my Lady speaking with him of my Lady Jem's marriage with young Mr

Carteret do say he is so abasht and so little coming forward with his
courtship that it do much discomfort poor Lady Jem as not knowing
what he would be at. So my Lady beseecht Sam'l that he would instruct
him how to court a lady, he otherwise doing very well, and a worthy
Gentleman, and one my Lady Jem could like of if not so shamefaced.
Sam'l simpring upon this, as who should say, "None better," do make
us merry, seeing him already conning over what manner of Speeches
and approaches will grace the Gentleman, but I do know him well able
in such matters. And indeed in all.
2d July.--Lesson, and do now begin well to read. Bought masque of the
Toy woman, in the Row, she saying, "Lord! is this the fayre Mrs Pepys,
wife to Mr Sam'l Pepys, that is known for a great man to be? Sure
Madam was well pleased with the French mantle that he did buy for her
a sennight come Saturday?"
So seeing she was a little ugly talking woman, I did sound her on this,
for it vexed me cruelly since he hath sent it to another. And for all, I do
and will believe it is but sporting and jesting, which if I did not, God
help us all! So sadly and soberly home, but yet said nothing. Pray God
all be well.
24th July.--For many days have I not writ, for at the last I did come to
read what I would, and though not all, for some is in Greeke or I know
not what, yet what I did read hath broke my heart. His Mrs Lane that he
did prayse for a God-fearing woman, his Deb--but what do I say?--sure
he hath not a heart but a stone. So I telling him certayne things of my
knowledge (and yet not how I did know them), he in great fear and
terrour and as I thought unlike a man of Courage. Which did shame me
for him that I could scarce bring myself to look in his face and see him
thus, remembering his high carriage that I did use to see in him. And
times there were when I would the rather he did Brazen it out, it
seeming so poor a thing to see him so low, and times again when in
Madness I would have taken a knife to him, but he did pull it away with
weeping Teares and promise of amendment. But how to trust him or
any I cannot tell. And I have bid Will Hewer (Sam'l humbly agreeing
thereto) that he continue with his master and oversee him in all his

walks abroad, doing me to wit where he goeth. Yet, how to trust
Will--for sure all men are alike and will give the other countenance in
Deceit. So what way to surety, for if a man regard not his wife where
shall she look for good? And truly I do believe that in such Trafficking
men