coach-horse's feet. To accident she owed that the Walsinghams were not
at home when her son galloped over to see them the next morning, and to
inquire what news from Captain Walsingham. That day's paper also brought
a contradiction of the report of the engagement and victory; so that
Mrs. Beaumont's apprehensions on this subject were allayed; and she had
no doubt that, by proper management, with a sufficient number of notes
and messages, misunderstandings, lame horses, and crossings upon the
road, she might actually get through the week without letting the
Walsinghams see Mr. Palmer; or at least without more than a _vis_, or a
morning visit, from which no great danger could be apprehended. "Few,
indeed, have so much character," thought she, "or so much dexterity in
showing it, as to make a dangerous impression in the course of a formal
morning visit."




CHAPTER VI.

"Ah! c'est mentir tant soit peu; j'en conviens;
C'est un grand mal--mais il produit un bien."
VOLTAIRE.


The third day went off still more successfully. Dr. Wheeler called at
breakfast, frightened Mr. Palmer out of his senses about his health, and
convinced him that his life depended upon his immediate return to the
climate of Jamaica:--so this point was decided.

Mrs. Beaumont, calculating justly that the Walsinghams would return Mr.