d and murder; and was contrary to the
laws both of God and man. In vain he endeavoured to move them by tears
and entreaties, by threatening them with prosecutions in this world, and
pains and penalties in the next. They persisted in their resolution, and
his uncle would have begun hostilities on his carcase, had he not been
prevented by Sir Launcelot, who exhorted Clarke to retire from the field,
that he might not be involved in the consequences of the combat. He
relished this advice so well, that he had actually moved off to some
distance; but his apprehensions and concern for his friends co-operating
with an insatiable curiosity, detained him in sight of the engagement.

The two knights having fairly divided the ground, and the same
precautions being taken by the seconds on another part of the field,
Sycamore began to be invaded with some scruples, which were probably
engendered by the martial appearance and well-known character of his
antagonist. The confidence which he derived from the reluctance of Sir
Launcelot now vanished, because it plainly appeared, that the knight's
backwardness was not owing to personal timidity; and he foresaw that the
prosecution of this joke might be attended with very serious consequences
to his own life and reputation. He therefore desired a parley, in which
he observed his affection for Miss Darnel was of such a delicate nature,
that, should the discomfiture of his rival contribute to make her
unhappy, his victory must render him the most miserable wretch upon
earth. He proposed, therefore, that her sentiments and choice should be
ascertained before they proceeded to extremity.

Sir Launcelot declared that he was much more afraid of combating
Aurelia's inclination, than of opposing the knight of the Griffin in
arms; and that if he had the least reason to think Mr. Sycamore, or any
other person, was distinguished by her preference, he would instantly
give up his suit as desperate. At the same time, he observed, that
Sycamore had proceeded too far to retract; that he had insulted a
gentleman, and not only challenged, but even pursued him, and blocked up
his passage in the public highway; outrages which he (Sir Launcelot)
would not suffer to pass unpunished. Accordingly, he insisted on the
combat, on pain of treating Sycamore as a craven, and a recreant. This
declaration was reinforced by Dawdle, who told him, that, should he now
decline the engagement, all the world would look u