Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/311

Rh Duke of Monmouth was gone into England. In the evening I told the Prince of it; he said it was not fair play, considering they were plotting together; he showed me a letter of his to Sir William Temple. I told him of my Lord Shaftesbury being offered to come into the Treasury. He was in a maze.

26th.I was with Monsieur Odike, and met the French ambassador: he told me how he would press for an alliance, which would trouble them extremely, for they had no mind to consent and were afraid to deny; he afterwards sent him another message; he pretends to know all the Prince's mind.

27th.The Prince told me the French did press extremely for an alliance with them; that the Ambassador had sent to him to know if he would be for it; if he would, then he would conclude it done, and take no more care of it; but if he would not, then he must take some other way. He is in pain to know what to do, for he is extremely unwilling to consent, and if he should oppose it, it might prove mightily to his prejudice, and it may be done at last against his will; the King of France will have their resolution before next year, that he may proceed accordingly. They are here so afraid of him, and have so little hopes of Rh