"Well, Sir, at Newmarket races, this Spring meeting, Thornton and I were
on the look out. He had come down to stay, during the races, at a house
I had just inherited from my father, but which was rather an expense
to me than an advantage; especially as my wife, who was an innkeeper's
daughter, was very careless and extravagant. It so happened that we were
both taken in by a jockey, whom we had bribed very largely, and were
losers to a very considerable amount. Among other people, I lost to a
Sir John Tyrrell. I expressed my vexation to Thornton, who told me not
to mind it, but to tell Sir John that I would pay him if he came to the
town; and that he was quite sure we could win enough, by his certain
game at hazard, to pay off my debt. He was so very urgent, that I
allowed myself to be persuaded; though Thornton has since told me, that
his only motive was, to prevent Sir John's going to the Marquess of
Chester's (where he was invited) with my lord's party; and so, to have
an opportunity of accomplishing the crime he then meditated.

"Accordingly, as Thornton desired, I asked Sir John Tyrrell to come with
me to Newmarket. He did so. I left him, joined Thornton, and went to the
gambling-house. Here we were engaged in Thornton's sure game, when Sir
John entered. I went up and apologized for not paying, and said I would
pay him in three months. However, Sir John was very angry, and treated
me with such rudeness, that the whole table remarked it. When he
was gone, I told Thornton how hurt and indignant I was at Sir
John's treatment. He incensed me still more--exaggerated Sir John's
conduct--said that I had suffered the grossest insult, and, at last, put
me into such a passion, that I said, that if I was a gentleman, I would
fight Sir John Tyrrell across a table.

"When Thornton saw I was so moved, he took me out of the room, and
carried me to an inn. Here he ordered dinner, and several bottles of
wine. I never could bear much drink: he knew this, and artfully plied me
with wine till I scarcely knew what I did or said. He then talked
much of our destitute situation--affected to put himself out of the
question--said he was a single man, and could easily make shift upon a
potatoe--but that I was encumbered with a wife and child, whom I could
not suffer to starve. He then said, that Sir John Tyrrell had publicly
disgraced me--that I should be blown upon the course--that no gentleman
would bet with me again, and a great deal mo