If A gives B the lie, and B retorts by a blow (being the two greatest offences), no reconciliation _can_ take place till after two discharges each, or a severe hit;—_after_ which, B may beg A’s pardon humbly for the blow, and then A may explain simply for the lie;—because a blow is _never_ allowable, and the offence of the lie therefore merges in it. (See preceding rule.)
N.B. Challenges for undivulged causes may be reconciled on the ground, after one shot. An explanation or the slightest hit should be sufficient in such cases, because no personal offence transpired.
But no apology can be received, in any case, after the parties have actually taken their ground, without exchange of fires.
In the above case, no challenger is obliged to divulge his cause of challenge (if private), unless required by the challenged so to do _before_ their meeting.
All imputations of cheating at play, races, &c. to be considered equivalent to a blow; but may be reconciled after one shot, on admitting their falsehood, and begging pardon publicly.
Any insult to a lady under a gentleman’s care or protection, to be considered as, by one degree, a greater offence than if given to the gentleman personally, and to be regulated accordingly.
Offences originating or accruing from the support of ladies’ reputation, to be considered as less unjustifiable than any others of the same class, and as admitting of slighter apologies by the aggressor:—this to be determined by the circumstances of the case, but _always_ favourably to the lady.
In simple unpremeditated _rencontres_ with the small sword, or _couteau-de-chasse_ the rule is—first draw, first sheath; unless blood be drawn: then both sheath, and proceed to investigation.
No dumb-shooting or firing in the air admissible _in any case_. The challenger ought not to have challenged without receiving offence; and the challenged ought, if he gave offence, to have made an apology before he came on the ground: therefore, _children’s play_ must be dishonourable on one side or the other, and is accordingly prohibited.
Seconds to be of equal rank in society with the principals they attend, inasmuch as a second may either choose or chance to become a principal, and equality is indispensable.