Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/141

 of all the company, and threatened to put him instantly to death, if he did not discover the scroundrel who had charged him with such an impudent commission, that I might punish him as he deserved. The messenger, affrighted at my menaces, fell upon his knees and told me that the gentleman who ordered him to deliver the letter, was no other than Narcissa's brother, who stood at the other end of the room talking to Melinda. I went up to him. and in the hearing of his inamorata, said, Lookee, 'Squire, was it not for one consideration that protects you from my resentment, I would cane you where you stand, for having had the presumption to send me this scurrilous intimation; which I tore and threw in his face, telling his mistress, I was sorry she had put it out of my power to compliment her upon her invention, but at the expence of the good nature and veracity. Her admirer, instead of resenting my adoress in what is called the honourable way, threatened to prosecute me for an assault. I quitted the scene of my mortification and sauntering about the town, happened to wake from my contemplation, when I myself opposite to a toy-shop, which I entered, and purchased a  set  a