ellow of
some parts, who had spent his fortune, but retained his appetites, and
fallen out with the world, because he could not enjoy it to his wish.

I went to the Bedford Coffee-house in the evening, where I met my
friends, from thence proceeded to the play, and afterwards carried them
home to my lodgings, where we supped in great good humour.

CHAPTER XLIX

I receive a Challenge--the Consequence of it--the Quarrel being made
up, am put in Arrest by the Care and Affection of Strap--but immediately
released upon explaining my Affair--the Behaviour of Mr. Oregan and
his two Friends--I visit Melinda, whom I divert with an account of the
Duel--propose Marriage--she refers the Matter to her Mother, of whom
I make a solemn Demand of her Daughter--the old Lady's behaviour--I am
discarded---resent their Disdain

When I was ready to go abroad next day, Strap brought me a letter,
To Mr. Random, Esq., these; which, upon opening, I found contained a
challenge conceived in these very extraordinary terms:

"Sir,--Whereas I am informed that you make love to Miss Melinda
Goosetrap, this is to let you know that she is under promise of
marriage to me; and that I am at this present waiting at the back
of Montague House, with a pair of good pistols in my hand; and if
you will keep your appointment, I will make your tongue confess
(after the breath is out of your body) that you do not deserve her
so well as
Yours, etc. Rourk Oregan."

I guessed, from the style and superscription of this billet, that my
rival was a true Milesian, and was not a little uneasy at the contents;
especially that part, in which he asserted his right to my mistress by
promise, a circumstance I did not not know how to reconcile to her good
sense and penetration. However, this was no time for me to decline
the defiance, because the success of my addresses in a great measure
depended upon my behaviour in that affair. I therefore immediately
loaded my pistols, and betook myself in a hackney coach to the place
appointed, where I found a tall raw-boned man, with a hard-featured
countenance and black bushy beard, walking by himself, wrapped up in a
shabby green coat, over which his own hair descended in leathern
queue from his head, that was covered with a greasy hat trimmed with a
tarnished pointe d'Espagne. He had no sooner perceived me advancing than
he pulled a pistol from his bosom, and, presenting it a