"Why, if a gentleman will come home at night tipsy and threaten to murder another gentleman in the same house; and if a lady--" And then Amelia paused, for she knew that the line-of-battle ship which she was preparing to encounter had within her much power of fighting.
"Well, miss," said Mrs Lupex, getting on her feet, "and what of the lady ?" Now we may say that the battle had begun, and that the two ships were pledged by the general laws of courage and naval warfare to maintain the contest till one of them should be absolutely disabled, if not blown up or sunk.

And at this moment it might be difficult for a bystander to say with which of the combatants rested the better chance of permanent success.

Mrs Lupex had doubtless on her side more matured power, a habit of fighting which had given her infinite skill, a courage which deadened her to the feeling of all wounds while the heat of the battle should last, and a recklessness which made her almost indifferent whether she sank or swam.

But then Amelia carried the greater guns, and was able to pour in heavier metal than her enemy could use; and she, too, swam in her own waters.

Should they absolutely come to grappling and boarding, Amelia would no doubt have the best of it; but Mrs Lupex would probably be too crafty to permit such a proceeding as that.