With these he served her like
a father, coaxing and praising her to fresh exertions; and during
all that time, as though silenced by the laws of hospitality, he was
not guilty of the shadow of a sneer. Indeed his kindness seemed so
genuine that Seraphina was moved to gratitude.
'Sir John,' she said, 'you hate me in your heart; why are you so
kind to me?'
'Ah, my good lady,' said he, with no disclaimer of the accusation,
'I have the honour to be much your husband's friend, and somewhat
his admirer.'
'You!' she cried. 'They told me you wrote cruelly of both of us.'
'Such was the strange path by which we grew acquainted,' said Sir
John. 'I had written, madam, with particular cruelty (since that
shall be the phrase) of your fair self. Your husband set me at
liberty, gave me a passport, ordered a carriage, and then, with the
most boyish spirit, challenged me to fight. Knowing the nature of
his married life, I thought the dash and loyalty he showed
delightful. "Do not be afraid," says he; "if I am killed, there is
nobody to miss me." It appears you subsequently thought of that
yourself. But I digress. I explained to him it was impossible that
I could fight! "Not if I strike you?" says he. Very droll; I wish
I could have put it in my book. However, I was conquered, took the
young gentleman to my high favour, and tore up my bits of scandal on
the spot.
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