"You see, she puts herself under my protection," I said. "It is not nice for a gentleman to drug a lady's wine; indeed, the law might have something to say."
"By God!" he cried, his face white with passion, "you shall pay for this. She is my wife."
He loosened his sword; I glanced out of the window and saw that my carriage was almost ready.
"No, no!" cried the girl.
"Keep close to me," I whispered to her, and we moved towards the door. But Northfield was there before us, and stood with his back against it, sword in hand. I drew, and, begging my companion not to spoil the chances of her escape by crying out, faced him with steadier nerves than I could have given myself credit for.
"Stand aside!" I cried.
"Fool, do you want your lungs pricked?"
"They are a fair target—try, if it pleases you." He made a pass at me, and in a wink we had engaged. I was a fair swordsman, but he was a better; I, however, had the advantage in cooler nerves and the better position, for so long as I could keep him to the door he could not fall back. I was fearful, every second, that the ring of steel would bring the servants about us, and therefore, at great risk, I tried to end the matter quickly.
My chance came—he overreached himself, my point entered his breast just below the neck, and he fell forward, swooning, upon his face. In a moment I had him on his back and his shirt open; the wound was nasty, but, I gladly thought, not serious; I had no fancy to have the man's death on my conscience.
The lady was so weak from terror that I had almost carry her out, but when we reached the door she plucked up courage to lean upon my arm. The landlord was blinking in the sun, as usual, and my chaise was ready. I put five pounds into his hand, bade him not disturb his other guest for half an hour, that we might have a good start in case the fellow was hot for a pursuit, and then, opening the carriage door, handed the girl in and bade the postillions ride for an extra guinea. Directly I was seated, off we went, at such a terrific pace and in such a cloud of dust that you would have thought a royal embassy was on the road to court.