Sir Philip Sidney bore the message.

Sir John Norris, of course warmly and violently espoused the cause of his brother, and was naturally more incensed against the Lord Marshal than ever, for Sir William Pelham was considered the cause of the whole affray.

"Even if the quarrel is to be excused by drink," said an eye-witness, "'tis but a slender defence for my Lord to excuse himself by his cups; and often drink doth bewray men's humours and unmask their malice.

Certainly the Count Hollock thought to have done a pleasure to the company in killing him." Nothing could be more ill-timed than this quarrel, or more vexatious to Leicester.

The Count--although considering himself excessively injured at being challenged by a simple captain and an untitled gentleman, whom he had attempted to murder--consented to waive his privilege, and grant the meeting.
Leicester interposed, however, to delay, and, if possible, to patch up the affair.