The Duel

Sir Mulberry Hawk’s coarse conduct towards Kate Nickleby has awoken a spark of decency in Lord Frederick Verisopht.

1839

Introduction

This post is number 5 in the series Nicholas Nickleby (Novel)

Sir Mulberry Hawk has preyed upon the weak character of Lord Frederick Verisopht for years, but the young nobleman has finally stood up to his ‘friend’ over Hawk’s ungentlemanly conduct towards pretty Kate Nickleby. The breach is irreparable, and has come at last to a duel.

THEY turned to the right, and taking a track across a little meadow, passed Ham House and came into some fields beyond. In one of these, they stopped.

The ground was measured, some usual forms gone through, the two principals were placed front to front at the distance agreed upon, and Sir Mulberry turned his face towards his young adversary for the first time. He was very pale, his eyes were bloodshot, his dress disordered, and his hair dishevelled. For the face, it expressed nothing but violent and evil passions. He shaded his eyes with his hand; gazed at his opponent, steadfastly, for a few moments; and, then taking the weapon which was tendered to him, bent his eyes upon that, and looked up no more until the word was given, when he instantly fired.

The two shots were fired, as nearly as possible, at the same instant.

Précis
Lord Frederick Verisopht challenged his friend Sir Mulberry Hawk to a duel over the latter’s conduct towards a young woman. The two men met in a field where they stood a fixed distance apart, and then, after a brief pause, each took one shot with a pistol at the other, firing almost simultaneously.
Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

How did Sir Mulberry occupy himself while waiting for the duel?

Suggestion

He focused his attention on his weapon.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Frederick gambled too much. He drank too much. Sir Mulberrry encouraged him.