 and told him plainly that lord -- had no intention to
risque his person, tho' he endeavoured with all his might to persuade me, that
his principal 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-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 any thing 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 place 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 an 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 laugh'd heartily at the adventure; for I never
