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closed, as might be expected, the landlord refused admittance at 
such a time. Presently, however, Mathews came down to the 
door, and after some words retired again, but as the noise. 
continued Mathews dressed and came down again, and so now 
at two o'clock in the morning the determined young man was 
admitted. To his great surprise, so contrary to his own inten- 
tions, Mathews received him courteously and to his further 
surprise evidently, as the words are in italics in his account, he 
asked him to “sit down.” So these two were together, the 
pistols visible in Sheridan’s pocket, until Mathews by diplomacy 
eventually pacified him, but it was seven o’clock in the morning 
before he got rid. In the course of this long interview, Mathews 
seems to have told the story of his own strong words and 
condemnation, and that Sheridan’s brother, and another at Bath 
not named, had also spoken equally strong about him. With 
this idea the young man’s wrath was turned on his brother, and 
he hastened off at once to Bath—post-chaise of no consequence — 
and arrived there the same evening. Mathews is even accused* 
of having treasured up this against the brother to be used 
when required, as if such opportunity could have been 
imagined or foreseen. No accusation seems too foolish if 
against this man. Then Mrs. H. Lefanu writes that “he 
did not hesitate to assert that Charles was - privy to 
the advertisement,” but again this does not appear by the 
advertisement or anywhere in fact. When the brothers met in 
Bath a high quarrel at once ensued, but it would be about the 
strong words spoken in condemnation of Richard’s conduct. 
After a long altercation the advertisement seems to have been 
produced —“ Dick coming here saw the advertisement for the 
first time,” wrote Charles. Charles could well and safely deny 
having had any part in this, but it at once diverted Richard’s 
wrath again to Mathews, his brother was forgiven, peace ensued 
* Rae. 
