So Miss Kendrick lived a lonely and stately life in Calcott Park.

Now, at this time there was a young gentleman of the name of Benjamin Child, a barrister of the Temple, belonging to the western circuit, of which Reading is the first assize-town.  He came of a family which had seen better days, but his ancestors had suffered in the civil war, and he had no fortune but his good looks.  His practice was as slender as his means, but nevertheless he managed to ride the western circuit after the judges of assize.  The arrival of the judges in a county-town in those days was a signal for hospitalities and festivities in which the circuit barristers were welcome guests, and one spring assizes Benjamin Child found himself at a wedding and ball, where no doubt he carried himself as a young gentleman of good birth and town breeding should.

Next morning he received at his lodgings a written challenge, which alleged that he had grievously injured the writer at the entertainments on the previous day, and appointed a meeting in Calcott Park on the following morning to settle the affair in mortal combat.  In those days no gentleman could refuse such an invitation, and accordingly Child appeared at the appointed time and place, accompanied by another young barrister as his second.  The rendezvous was at a spot near the present lodge, and the young men on arriving found the lawn occupied by two women in masks, while a carriage was drawn up under some trees hard by.  They were naturally in some embarrassment, from which they were scarcely relieved when the ladies advanced to meet them, and Child learned that one of them was his challenger, the mortal offence being that he had won her heart at the Reading ball, and that she had come there to demand satisfaction.

  So, now take your choice, says she—­
  Either fight or marry me.

  Said 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, ay or no.

Lady.  I shall not my face uncover Till the marriage rites are over.  Therefore, take you which you will—­ Wed me, sir, or try your skill.

Benjamin Child retires to consult with his friend, who advises him—­

  If my judgment may be trusted,
  Wed her, man:  you can’t be worsted. 
  If she’s rich, you rise in fame;
  If she’s poor, you are the same.

This advice, coupled perhaps with the figure and appearance of his challenger, and the family coach in the background, prevails, and the two young men and the masked ladies drive to Tilchurst parish church, where the priest is waiting.  After the ceremony the bride,

  With a courteous, kind behavior,
  Did present his friend a favor: 
  Then she did dismiss him straight,
  That he might no longer wait.

They then drive, the bride still masked, to Calcott House, where he is left alone in a fair parlor for two hours, till