CHAPTER XLIX.
I receive a Challenge--the Consequence of it--the Quarrel being made up, am put in Arrest by the Care and Affection of Strap--but immediately released upon explaining my Affair--the Behaviour of Mr.Oregan and his two Friends--I visit Melinda, whom I divert with an account of the Duel--propose Marriage--she refers the Matter to her Mother, of whom I make a solemn Demand of her Daughter--the old Lady's behaviour--I am discarded---resent their Disdain When I was ready to go abroad next day, Strap brought me a letter, To Mr.Random, Esq., these; which, upon opening, I found contained a challenge conceived in these very extraordinary terms: "Sir,--Whereas I am informed that you make love to Miss Melinda Goosetrap, this is to let you know that she is under promise of marriage to me; and that I am at this present waiting at the back of Montague House, with a pair of good pistols in my hand; and if you will keep your appointment, I will make your tongue confess (after the breath is out of your body) that you do not deserve her so well as Yours, etc.

Rourk Oregan." I guessed, from the style and superscription of this billet, that my rival was a true Milesian, and was not a little uneasy at the contents; especially that part, in which he asserted his right to my mistress by promise, a circumstance I did not not know how to reconcile to her good sense and penetration.

However, this was no time for me to decline the defiance, because the success of my addresses in a great measure depended upon my behaviour in that affair.

I therefore immediately loaded my pistols, and betook myself in a hackney coach to the place appointed, where I found a tall raw-boned man, with a hard-featured countenance and black bushy beard, walking by himself, wrapped up in a shabby green coat, over which his own hair descended in leathern queue from his head, that was covered with a greasy hat trimmed with a tarnished pointe d'Espagne.

He had no sooner perceived me advancing than he pulled a pistol from his bosom, and, presenting it at me, snapped it without the least preamble.