the gallants pay sauce, as indeed they do at all
such houses throughout England; for they think it a piece of
frugality beneath them to bargain or account for what they eat in
any place, however unreasonably imposed upon.''-Character of
England, 12mo., 1659, p. 56, written, it is said, by John Evelyn,
Esq. Spring Garden is the scene of intrigue in many of our comedies
of this period.]

Howard possessed but little raillery, and still less patience; three
times was the banquet on the point of being stained with blood; but
three times did he suppress his natural impetuosity, in order to satisfy
his resentment elsewhere with greater freedom.

Jermyn, without paying the least attention to his ill-humour, pursued
his point, continued talking to Lady Shrewsbury, and did not leave her
until the repast was ended.

He went to bed, proud of this triumph, and was awakened next morning by
a challenge. He took for his second Giles Rawlings, a man of intrigue,
and a deep player. Howard took Dillon, who was dexterous and brave, much
of a gentleman, and, unfortunately, an intimate friend to Rawlings.

In this duel fortune did not side with the votaries of love poor
Rawlings was left stone dead; and Jermyn, having received three wounds,
was carried to his uncle's, with very little signs of life.

While the report of this event engaged the courtiers according to their
several interests, the Chevalier de Grammont was informed by Jones, his
friend, his confidant, and his rival, that there was another gentleman
very attentive to Mrs. Middleton: this was Montagu, no very dangerous
rival on account of his person, but very much to be feared for his
assiduity, the acuteness of his wit, and for some other talents which
are of importance, when a man is once permitted to display them.

There needed not half so much to bring into action all the Chevalier's
vivacity, in point of competition: vexation awakened in him whatever
expedients the desire of revenge, malice, and experience, could suggest,
for troubling the designs of a rival, and tormenting a mistress. His
first intention was to return her letters, and demand his presents,
before he began to tease her; but, rejecting this project, as too weak a
revenge for the injustice done him, he was upon the point of conspiring
the destruction of poor Mrs. Middleton, when, by accident, he met with
Miss Hamilton. From this moment ended all his resentment against Mrs.
Middleton, and