[See MEMOIRS, p. 200.]
Madrid, Wednesday, August 1665.
My last to your Lordship of this day was a se'nnight, made mention of
a conference I was to have the Friday following with the Duke of
Medina de las Torres, but it happened the same Wednesday night I fell
so extremely sick as forced me on Thursday to send my excuse to his
Excellency, continuing my bed all that day, and since my house,
though, I thank God, with some amendment daily, and now to such a
competent degree of health and strength, that upon Friday next I hope
our meeting will hold.
In the mean time, upon occasion of my wife's being brought to bed, on
Sunday, the Duke hath been with me to give me the joy of my son, yet
so as not to mingle therewith one word of business, making that
expressly a piece of the compliment; the rest consisting of great
riches of jewels upon his person, and extraordinary splendour of
equipage.--Ibid. f. 346.