At length, ringing a bell with
great vehemence, he exclaimed, 'What! a commoner send a challenge
to a peer of the realm! -- Privilege! privilege! -- Here's a person
brings me a challenge from the Welshman that dined at my table --
An impudent fellow. -- My wine is not yet out of his head.'
The whole house was immediately in commotion. -- Macalpine made a
soldierly retreat with two horses; but the captain was suddenly
surrounded and disarmed by the footmen, whom a French valet de
chambre headed in this exploit; his sword was passed through a
close-stool, and his person through the horse-pond. In this
plight he returned to the inn, half mad with his disgrace. So
violent was the rage of his indignation, that he mistook its
object. -- He wanted to quarrel with Mr Bramble; he said, he had
been dishonoured on his account, and he looked for reparation at
his hands. -- My uncle's back was up in a moment; and he desired
him to explain his pretensions. -- 'Either compel lord Oxmington to
give me satisfaction (cried he), or give it me in your own
person.' 'The latter part of the alternative is the most easy and
expeditious (replied the 'squire, starting up): if you are
disposed for a walk, I'll attend you this moment.
Pages:
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518