Visiting the court without my wig

I came into a magnificent chamber and spoke with a woman who was governess of the court. She wished to relate something to me; then came the queen and passed through to another chamber; it seemed to be the same one who represented our Successor. I went out for I was rather meanly dressed, as I had just returned from my journey, [wearing] a long old overcoat, and without hat and wig; I wondered that she condescended to come to me; she related that a certain one had given all the jewels to his mistress, but he had received them back again in this manner that it was told her that he had not given her the best, whereupon she threw away the jewels.

She asked me to come again, but I excused myself on the plea that I was so shabbily dressed and had no wig, and must go home first; she said it did not matter. This has reference to that which I was then about to write and begin the Epilogue of the second part, to which I wanted to write a preface, but there is no need of it. I acted accordingly. What she told about the jewels had reference to the truths which are discovered to a person, but are taken away again, because she was offended that she had not received all. I afterwards saw the jewels in [my?] hands and a great ruby in the middle.

Night of March 24–25, 1744