r other, or both, of our bodies this
afternoon; but, would you believe it? just as our engagement was about
to take place, we were interrupted by three of Sir John Fielding's men,
and carried to Bow Street, and ignominiously bound over to keep the
peace.

"Who gave the information? Not I, or Spencer, I can vow. Though I own
I was pleased when the constables came running to us; bludgeon in hand:
for I had no wish to take Will's blood, or sacrifice my own to such a
rascal. Now, sir, have you such a battle as this to describe to me?--a
battle of powder and no shot?--a battle of swords as bloody as any on
the stage? I have filled my paper, without finishing the story of Maria
and her Hagan. You must have it by the next ship. You see, the quarrel
with Will took place yesterday, very soon after I had written the first
sentence or two of my letter. I had been dawdling till dinner-time (I
looked at the paper last night, when I was grimly making certain little
accounts up, and wondered shall I ever finish this letter?), and now
the quarrel has been so much more interesting to me than poor Molly's
love-adventures, that behold my paper is full to the brim! Wherever my
dearest Harry reads it, I know that there will be a heart full of love
for--His loving brother, G. E. W."

CHAPTER LXXI. White Favours

The little quarrel between George and his cousin caused the former to
discontinue his visits to Bloomsbury in a great measure; for Mr. Will
was more than ever assiduous in his attentions; and, now that both were
bound over to peace, so outrageous in his behaviour, that George found
the greatest difficulty in keeping his hands from his cousin. The
artless little Lydia had certainly a queer way of receiving her friends.
But six weeks before madly jealous of George's preference for another,
she now took occasion repeatedly to compliment Theo in her conversation.
Miss Theo was such a quiet, gentle creature, Lyddy was sure George was
just the husband for her. How fortunate that horrible quarrel had been
prevented! The constables had come up just in time; and it was quite
ridiculous to hear Mr. Esmond cursing and swearing, and the rage he was
in at being disappointed of his duel! "But the arrival of the constables
saved your valuable life, dear Mr. George, and I am sure Miss Theo ought
to bless them forever," says Lyddy, with a soft smile. "You won't
stop and meet Mr. Esmond