Nov. 24. I did re-engage him, 20s. I did also oil the cash-keeper, 20s.
Nov. 26. I gave Edmund Aspull [the cash-keeper] another 20s. I was there, but denied sight.
Unpromising this, but Sir Edward does not lose courage.
Nov. 27. I sent a second letter, which was kept.
There is hope, then, but we must not relax. Same day.
I set Sir John Skeffington upon Matthew Cradock.
Matthew Cradock is a cousin of the widow, and her trusty adviser. Same day.
The cash-keeper supped with me.
Nov. 28. I went to Mr. Cradock, but found him cold.
Sir John Skeffington could not have exerted himself much.
Nov. 29. I was at the Old Jewry Church and saw her, both forenoon and afternoon.
Dec. 1. I sent a third letter, which was likewise kept.
The widow had a troublesome affair on her hands. It appears that one Steward, under the abominable system of wardships which then prevailed, had obtained a grant from the crown of the wardship of Mrs. Bennett's little boy, then four years old. The widow was in treaty with Steward to buy from him the wardship of her own child, which the rogue refused to release for 1,500l., offered him in hard cash. Between this affair, and Dr. Raven and other suitors, the widow had enough to think of. Steward had also made matrimonial proposals, which Mrs. Bennett deemed it not prudent to cut short at once, while the bargaining for the wardship was going on. On the 5th December Sir Edward communicates with one Loe, an influential person with the widow. Loe answers, "that Steward was so testy that she durst not give admittance unto any, until he and she were fully concluded for the wardship—that she had a good opinion of me—that he (Loe) heard nobly of me—that he would inform me when Steward was off—that he was engaged for another—that I need not refrain from going to the church where she was, unless I thought it to disparage myself." Acting on this advice, Sir Edward goes to St. Olave's next Sunday, and on coming out of church George Newman whispers in his ear, "Good news! Good news!" After dinner George calls on Sir Edward, who had taken a lodging in the sight of the widow's house, and tells him that she "liked well his carriage, and that if his land were not settled on his eldest son there was good hope." The bearer of such news certainly merits oiling, so, Sir Edward says, "I gave him twenty shillings." That evening Sir Edward supped with his rival, Sir Heneage Finch, who gave him to understand that he himself despaired of his own suit, and was ready to vacate the field, and even promised to assist the worthy knight.