“My dear, good Dr. Wheeler, I never saw you angry before. Come, come,” cried Mrs. Beaumont, sliding a _douceur_ into his hand, “friends must not be vexed for trifles; it was only a mistake _de part et d’autre_, and you’ll return here to-morrow, in your way home, and breakfast with us; and now we understand one another. And,” added she, in a whisper, “we can talk over things, and have your cool judgment best, when only you, and I, and Mr. Palmer, are present. You comprehend.” Those who practise many manoeuvres, and carry on many intrigues at the same time, have this advantage, that if one fails, the success of another compensates for the disappointment. However she might have been vexed by this slight _contre-temps_ with Dr. Wheeler, Mrs. Beaumont had ample compensation of different sorts this day; some due to her own exertions, some owing to accident. Her own exertions prevented her dear Albina Hunter from returning; for Mrs. Beaumont never sent the promised carriage--only a note of apology--a nail had run into one of the 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. Beaumont’s visit, and come to pay their respects to Mr. Palmer this morning, settled, as soon as breakfast was over, a plan of operations which should keep Mr. Palmer out till dinner-time. He must see the charming drive which her son had made round his improvements; and she must have the pleasure of showing it to him herself; and she assured him that he might trust to her driving.