Earlier. But Laurie, you are correct, he was much of the time by himself, that's how he got to know to her. And I'm sure you'll all know her name, too.
In 1838 Lincoln wrote a letter to Mrs. Browning in which he said, "Others have been made fools of by the girls; but this can never be with truth said of me. I most emphatically, in this instance, made a fool of myself. I have now come to the conclusion never again to think of marrying; and for this reason; I can never be satisfied with any one who would be block-head enough to have me."
Very good, Roger, it's Eliza Caldwell Browning. They boarded together in Vandalia in 1836. A. Lincoln had known her husband from the Black Hawk War. And Orville Browning indeed became a cabinet member in Johnson's cabinet, he succeeded James Harlan.
Lacking the lots of (19th century slang) "coach wheels" you win my best wishes for a wonderful weekend (especially for all the good things money can't buy).