experienced the luck of champions.
For cricket, and for diving, Ralph bore away the belt: Richard's
middle-stump tottered before his ball, and he could seldom pick up more
than three eggs underwater to Ralph's half-dozen. He was beaten, too, in
jumping and running. Why will silly mortals strive to the painful
pinnacles of championship? Or why, once having reached them, not have the
magnanimity and circumspection to retire into private life immediately?
Stung by his defeats, Richard sent one of his dependent Papworths to Poer
Hall, with a challenge to Ralph Barthrop Morton; matching himself to swim
across the Thames and back, once, trice, or thrice, within a less time
than he, Ralph Barthrop Morton, would require for the undertaking. It was
accepted, and a reply returned, equally formal in the trumpeting of
Christian names, wherein Ralph Barthrop Morton acknowledged the challenge
of Richard Doria Feverel, and was his man. The match came off on a
midsummer morning, under the direction of Captain Algernon. Sir Austin
was a spectator from the cover of a plantation by the river-side, unknown
to his son, and, to the scandal of her sex, Lady Blandish accompanied the
baronet. He had invited her attendance, and she, obeying her frank
nature, and knowing what The Pilgrim's Scrip said about prudes, at once
agreed to view the match, pleasing him mightily. For was not here a woman
worthy the Golden Ages of the world? one who could look upon man as a
creature divinely made, and look with a mind neither tempted, nor
taunted, by the Serpent! Such a woman was rare. Sir Austin did not
discompose her by uttering his praises. She was conscious of his approval
only in an increased gentleness of manner, and something in his voice and
communications, as if he were speaking to a familiar, a very high
compliment from him. While the lads were standing ready for the signal to
plunge from the steep decline of greensward into the shining waters, Sir
Austin called upon her to admire their beauty, and she did, and even
advanced her head above his shoulder delicately. In so doing, and just as
the start was given, a bonnet became visible to Richard. Young Ralph was
heels in air before he moved, and then he dropped like lead. He was
beaten by several lengths.

The result of the match was unaccountable to all present, and Richard's
friends unanimously pressed him to plead a false start. But though the
youth, with full confidence in his better style and eq