Kinglake used to regret the disuse of duelling, as having impaired
the higher tone of good breeding current in his younger days, and
even blamed the Duke of Wellington for proscribing it in the army.
He had himself on one occasion sent a cartel, and stood waiting for
his adversary, like Sir Richard Strachan at Walcheren, eight days
on the French coast; but the adversary never came. Hayward once
referred to him, as a counsellor, and if necessary a second, a
quarrel with Lord R-. Lord R-'s friend called on him, a Norfolk
squire, "broad-faced and breathing port wine," after the fashion of
uncle Phillips in "Pride and Prejudice," who began in a boisterous
voice, "I am one of those, Mr. Kinglake, who believe R- to be a
gentleman." In his iciest tones and stoniest manner Kinglake
answered: "That, Sir, I am quite willing to assume." The effect,
he used to say, as he told and acted the scene, was magical; "I had
frozen him sober, and we settled everything without a fight." Of
all his friends Hayward was probably the closest; an association of
discrepancies in character, manner, temperament, not complementary,
but opposed and hostile; irreconcilable, one would say, but for the
knowledge that in love and friendship paradox reigns supreme.
Pages:
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135