pal was
desperate and determined. I knew my little husband too well to think
he would bring matters to any dangerous issue, and was apprehensive of
nothing but foul play, from the villainy of H--d--n, with which I was
equally well acquainted. Indeed, I signified my doubts on that score to
Mr. B--, who would have attended his kinsman to the field, had he not
thought he might be liable to censure, if anything should happen to Lord
B--, because he himself was heir at law: for that reason he judiciously
declined being personally concerned; and we pitched upon the earl of
A--, his lordship's uncle, who willingly undertook the office.

"At the appointed time they went to the house of rendezvous, where they
had not waited long when the challenger appeared, in a new pink satin
waistcoat, which he had put on for the occasion, with his sword under
his arm, and his steward by him, leaving, in a hackney-coach at some
distance, a surgeon whom he had provided for the care of his person.
Thus equipped he advanced to his antagonist, and desired him to choose
his ground; upon which Lord B-- told him, that if he must fall, it was
not material which grave he should tumble over.

"Our little hero, finding him so jocose and determined, turned to
Lord A--, and desired to speak with him, that he might disburden his
conscience before they should begin the work of death. They accordingly
went aside; and he gave him to understand, that his motive for fighting,
was Lord B--'s detaining his wife from him by compulsion. The earl of
A-- assured him, he was egregiously mistaken in his conjecture; that his
nephew used no force or undue influence to keep me in his house; but it
could not be expected that he would turn me out of doors.

"This explanation was altogether satisfactory to Lord --, who said he
was far from being so unreasonable as to expect Lord B-- would commit
such a breach of hospitality; and all he desired was, that his wife
should be left to her own inclinations. Upon these articles, peace was
concluded, and they parted without bloodshed. At least these are the
particulars of the story, as they were related by Lord A--, with whom
I laughed heartily at the adventure, for I never doubted that the
challenger would find some expedient to prevent the duel, though I
wondered how he mustered up resolution enough to carry it so far.

"That he might not, however, give us any more trouble, we resolved to
go and enjoy ourselves in France, whith