It was not the leader who had struck the blow which made him lose his hold of Lavinia's arm, but one of the mob for no motive other than a love for brutality.
The coachman had forced his way to the front a minute or so afterwards.
Almost at the same time a stone hit Lavinia's champion in the cheek, cutting it and drawing blood.
"Cowards!" he shouted.

"If you're for fighting at least fight fair.

Who did that ?" and he laid his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"At your service, sir.

Give me the credit of it.

Captain Jeremy Rofflash isn't the man to let the chance of a little pretty sword play go by." The speaker was the man who acted as Dorrimore's coachman.