“Yes, it is.”
“What brings your lordship here at this time of night?”
Lord Mohun replied—
“I suppose you were sent for, Mr. Mountfort?”
“No, indeed, I came by chance.”
“Have you not heard of the business of Mrs. Bracegirdle?”
“Pray, my lord,” said Hill, breaking in, “hold your tongue. This is not a convenient time to discuss this business.”
Hill seemed desirous to go away, and pulled Lord Mohun’s sleeve; but Mountfort, taking no notice of Hill, continued to address Lord Mohun, saying he was sorry to see him assisting Captain Hill in such an evil action, and begging him to forbear.
Hill instantly gave the actor a box on the ear, and on Mountfort demanding what that was for, attacked him sword in hand, and ran him through before he had time to draw his weapon. Mountfort died the next day of the wound, declaring with his last breath that Lord Mohun had offered him no violence. Hill fled from justice, and Lord Mohun was tried for murder, but unfortunately acquitted for want of evidence.
That fortunate poet, Congreve, whom Pope declared to be one of the three most honest-hearted and really good men in the Kit-cat Club, lived for some time in Howard Street, where he was a neighbour and frequent guest of Mrs. Bracegirdle.