retired to his chamber, exceedingly mortified at his defeat. Our hero was
reconducted to Mr. Felton's apartment, where he sat some time without
opening his mouth, so astonished he was at what he had seen and heard.
"I perceive, sir," said the prisoner, "you are surprised at the manner in
which I accosted that unhappy woman; and perhaps you will be more
surprised when you hear that within these eighteen months she was
actually a person of fashion, and her opponent, who by the bye is her
husband, universally respected as a man of honour and a brave officer."--
"I am, indeed," cried our hero, "overwhelmed with amazement and concern,
as well as stimulated by an eager curiosity to know the fatal causes
which have produced such a reverse of character and fortune. But I will
rein my curiosity till the afternoon, if you will favour me with your
company at a tavern in the neighbourhood, where I have bespoke dinner, a
favour which I hope Mr. Norton will have no objection to your granting,
as he himself is to be of the party."--The prisoner thanked him for his
kind invitation, and they adjourned immediately to the place, taking up
the deputy-marshal in their passage through the lodge or entrance of the
prison.




CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CONTAINING FURTHER ANECDOTES RELATING TO THE CHILDREN ON WRETCHEDNESS.


Dinner being cheerfully discussed, and our adventurer expressing an eager
desire to know the history of the male and female who had acted as
squires or seconds to the champions of the King's Bench, Felton gratified