ABSTRACT
The evening now approached, in which the scene sir William Twyford had with so much pains prepared, was to be acted. An imperfect rumour had spread that something extraordinary was to pass in the public room. Miss Prim was of opinion that a duel would be fought. ‘I shall be frightened out of my wits,’ said she. ‘But I must go, for one loves any thing new, and I believe there is nothing in it that a modest woman may not see.’ Miss Gawky thought it would be a boxing match. ‘Bless us, my dear lord Martin could stand no chance with that great lubberly macaroni.’ a But Miss Griskin, with a look of more than common sagacity, assured the ladies that she / had penetrated to the very bottom of the matter. ‘Mr Prettyman and lord Martin have ordered two large rounds of beef to be set upon the table at supper, and they mean to lay about them for a wager.’
