"_For my Lord Whitelocke, at Chelsea, humbly these._
"My Lord,
"I being this day commanded by the two within-named persons in your
letter to consummate their nuptials, and in that to bear the part of
a father, am so confident of my power, as (were it not my Lord
Whitelocke's request, whose interest with them exceeds a mock
father) he might be assured of not failing of his commands; but that
done which this morning I am going about, I am by them desired to
jog on to Stanstead, so that I fear I shall by that means be
disappointed of attending you upon Wednesday; and that, I assure
you, will go to Nancy's heart, she being yesterday resolved to have
visited you this morning at Chelsea, had she not apprehended your
early being in town; but wherever we are, our thankfulness to God
for your safe return you shall not fail of, nor of the keeper
tomorrow night. So I rest,
"My Lord,
"Your affectionate brother to serve you,
"WILL. WILLOUGHBY.
"_July._"
I have inserted this and other letters, that you may observe the change
of styles and compliments in the change of fortunes and conditions.
_July 10, 1654._
I had been several times to visit my Lord Lambert since my coming home,
he being a person in great favour with the army, and not without some
close emulation from Cromwell; but his occasions were so great, that I
could not meet with him. I therefore desired the Earl of Clare, who was
very intimate with Lambert, to contrive a conveniency for my meeting with
my Lord Lambert, whereupon he sent me this letter, directed
"_For the Lord Whitelocke, at Chelsea._
"My Lord,
"Hearing your Lordship had been several times to see my Lord Lambert
and missed, and I desiring that there should be no mistakes between
you, I sent Mr. Bankes to signify so much to his cousin Lambert,
who, being come this morning to town, says he will be very glad to
see your Lordship about two this afternoon, and Mr. Bankes will wait
on your Lordship to him, if you please to be in the Park, in the
walk between the elms on this side the water. So I rest
"Your Lordship's humble servant,
"CLARE."
I met Mr. Bankes at the time appointed, who brought me to my Lord
Lambert, and he received me with great civility and respect; we had much
discourse together about Sweden, and Germany, and Denmark, and the
business of my treaty; and we parted with all kindness, and he desired to
have my company often.
_July 11, 1654._