 I repeat to you again that I love Colonel
James so well, and am so greatly obliged to him, that it would be almost
indifferent to me, whether I directed my Sword against his Breast, or my own.«
    The Colonel's Muscles were considerably softened by Booth's last Speech; but
he again contracted them into a vast Degree of Fierceness, before he cryed out -
»Boy, thou hast Reason enough to be vain; for thou art the first Person that
ever could proudly say he gained an Advantage over me in Combat. I believe
indeed, thou art not afraid of any Man breathing, and as I know thou hast some
Obligations to my Brother, I do not discommend thee; for nothing more becomes
the Dignity of a Man than Gratitude. Besides, as I am satisfied my Brother can
produce the Author of the Slander - I say, I am satisfied of that, d-n me, if
any Man alive dares assert the contrary; for that would be to make my Brother
himself a Liar, I will make him produce his Author; and then, my dear Boy, your
doing yourself proper Justice there, will bring you finely out of the whole
Affair. As soon as my Surgeon gives me Leave to go abroad, which, I hope, will
be in a few Days, I will bring my Brother James to a Tavern, where you shall
meet us; and I will engage my Honour, my whole Dignity to you, to make you
Friends.«
    This Assurance of the Colonel gave Booth great Pleasure; for few Persons
ever loved a Friend better than he did James; and as for doing military Justice
on the Author of that scandalous Report which had incensed his Friend against
him, not Bath himself was ever more ready on such an Occasion than Booth to
execute it. He soon after took his Leave, and returned home in high Spirits to
his Amelia, whom he found in Mrs. Ellison's Apartment, engaged in a Party at
Ombre with that Lady, and her right honourable Cousin.
    His Lordship had, it seems, had a second Interview with the great Man, and
having obtained further Hopes (for I think there was not yet an absolute
Promise) of Success in Mr. Booth's Affairs, his usual good Nature brought him
immediately to acquaint Mr. Booth with it. As he did not therefore find him at
home, and as he met with the two Ladies together, he resolved to stay till his
Friend's Return, which he was assured would not be long, especially as he was so
