127 
dence promptly established between two persons who, it was 
thought, ought to have had so little communication together. 
I spent the whole day in consoling the Viscountess. An express 
was sent off to London to Mrs. Damer, who had left Bath fifteen 
days before, begging her to come down, as soon as possible, to her 
friends; and I was employed in making preparations for her 
departure the moment when Mrs. Damer should arrive. I went 
from time to time to see the Count to obtain some explanations 
relative to the Viscount’s affairs. I learnt from him that the letter 
of the Viscountess and his answer were concerning the state of 
these. The Viscount had provided for everything and had adj usted 
his accounts. He expected a remittance from his banker of 400 
guineas, which he had appropriated to the payment of his 
debts. He had drawn a draft for 200 guineas which he had 
put into the hands of his house-steward, and it was said that he 
had 200 guineas in his pocket book, and 150 in his purse which 
his second had taken charge of before he quitted him. But Mr. 
Toole was not to be found. He feared the pursuit of justice, if 
the coroner’s verdict which was about to be brought in, should 
not be favourable to Count de Rice. He had reason to apprehend 
that it would not, for it appeared that the seconds had concurred 
in agreeing that one of them must fall. They had marked out a 
distance of five-and-twenty yards and had agreed to advance upon 
each other as they might see fit. Each had a pair of pistols and 
his sword. It was stipulated besides that the conqueror might 
without quarter despatch his antagonist even when he was upon 
the ground. It would be very difficult according to the laws of 
England to have this construed otherwise than as wilful murder. 
Twenty-four hours after the departure of the courier Mrs. Damer 
arrived at Bath. I gave her to understand that Count de Rice 
desired to see her, but advised her not to countenance a proceeding 
which might justify the injurious suspicions entertained by the 
public relative to the Viscountess. She therefore merely sent to 
tell him that unless he had something to communicate to her 
