142 THE BATH ROAD 



send him an anonymous challenge to light a duel or 

 to many her. 



Benjamin Child — for that was the name of the 

 young and briefless (and also impecunious) barrister — 

 was astonished at receivino; a challeno-e from no one 

 in particular ; but, accompanied by a friend, pro- 

 ceeded to the rendezvous appointed by the unknown 

 in Calcot Park. Arrived there, they perceived a 

 masked lady, with a rapier, who informed the pair 

 that she was the challeno'cr : — 



" ' It was I that did invite you : 

 You shall wed me, or I'll fight you, 

 So now take your choice,' said she ; 

 ' Either fight, or marry me.' 

 8ays he, ' Madam, pray what mean ye ? 

 In my life I ne'er have seen ye ; 

 Pray unmask, your visage show, 

 Then I'll tell you, aye or no.' " 



The lady, however, would not unmask : — 



" ' I will not my face uncover,. 

 Till the marriage rites are over ; 

 Therefore take you which you will. 

 Wed me, sir, or try your skill' " 



The friend advised Benjamin Child, Esq., to take 

 his chance of her being poor and pretty, or rich and — 

 plain (those being the usually accepted conjunctions), 

 and to marry her, which he accordingly promised to 

 do. He had a reward for his moral courage, for the 

 lady unmasked and disclosed herself as the beautiful 

 unknown with whom he had flirted at the wedding. 

 That they "lived happily ever afterwards" we need 

 find no difficulty in believing. 



Many stories were current locally of this Mr. Child. 



