whim! But these London merchants, who make great fortunes from nothing,
are apt to have their little eccentricities; and then, they have so much
pride in their own way, and so much self-will and mercantile
downrightness in their manners, that there's no managing them but by
humouring their fancies. I'm convinced, if Mr. Palmer suspected that I
even wished Amelia to marry Sir John, he would never leave any of us a
farthing, and it would all go to the Walsinghams. So, my dear, do you
explain to your brother, that though I have not the least objection to
his coming here whilst Mr. Palmer is with us, he must not take umbrage
at any seeming coldness in my manner. He knows my heart, I trust; at
least, you do, my Albina. And even if I should be obliged to receive or
to go to see the Walsinghams, which, by-the-bye, I have taken means to
prevent; but if it should happen that they were to hear of Palmer's
being with us, and come, and Sir John should meet them, he must not he
surprised or jealous at my speaking in the highest terms of Captain
Walsingham. This I shall be obliged to do as a blind before Mr. Palmer.
I must make him believe that I prefer a commoner for my son-in-law, or
we are all undone with him. You know it is my son's interest, and yours,
as well as your brother's and Amelia's, that I consider. So explain all
this to him, my dear; you will explain it so much better, and make it so
much more palpable to your brother than I could."

"Dear Mrs. Beaumont, how can you think so? You who write so well, and
such long letters about every thing, and so quick! But goodness! I shall
never get it all into a letter I'm afraid, and before Mr. Palmer comes,
and then it will soon be dressing-time! La! I could say it all to John
in five minutes: what a pity he is not here to-day!"

"Well, my love, then suppose you were to go to him; as you so prudently
remark, things of this sort are always so much easier and better said