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Updated: April 30, 2025
If Branicki refused to fight I should be compelled to kill him, even if I were to lose my head for it. Such was my determination; to write to him proposing a duel at four leagues from Warsaw, this being the limit of the starostia, in which duelling was forbidden on pain of death. I Wrote as follows, for I have kept the rough draft of the letter to this day: "WARSAW, "March 5th, 1766. 5 A.M.
My ball had entered his body by the seventh rib on the right hand, and had gone out by the second false rib on the left. The two wounds were ten inches apart, and the case was of an alarming nature, as the intestines must have been pierced. Branicki spoke to me in a weak voice, "You have killed me, so make haste away, as you are in danger of the gibbet.
However that may be, Branicki was the tool of the Russian party, the determined enemy of those who withstood Catherine's design of Russianising the ancient Polish constitution. The king liked him out of habit, and because he had peculiar obligations to him. The life I lived was really exemplary. I indulged neither in love affairs nor gaming. I worked for the king, hoping to become his secretary.
"You must have had a great deal of practice with the pistol," continued his sister. "Not at all, madam, I regard the weapon with detestation. This unlucky shot was my first; but I have always known a straight line, and my hand has always been steady." "That's all one wants," said Branicki. "I have those advantages myself, and I am only too well pleased that I did not aim so well as usual."
Both he and the actress concluded that Branicki had had a quarrel with her rival, and though she did not much care to place him in the number of her adorers, she yet gave him a good reception, for she knew it would be dangerous to despise his suit openly. When the Catai had completed her toilet, the gallant postoli offered her his arm to take her to her carriage, which was at the door.
Both he and the actress concluded that Branicki had had a quarrel with her rival, and though she did not much care to place him in the number of her adorers, she yet gave him a good reception, for she knew it would be dangerous to despise his suit openly. When the Catai had completed her toilet, the gallant postoli offered her his arm to take her to her carriage, which was at the door.
The king told him he could do nothing for him, as Branicki maintained he had only given insult for insult. I saw Tomatis, who told me in confidence that he could easily take vengeance, but that it would cost him too dear. He had spent forty thousand ducats on the two ballets, and if he had avenged himself he would have lost it nearly all, as he would be obliged to leave the kingdom.
"In spite of the extenuating circumstances, my lord?" "What circumstances? Did you or did you not fight a duel." "That is not a proper way of putting it; I was obliged to defend myself. You might have charged me with fighting a duel if Branicki had taken me outside the ban, as I requested, but as it was he took me where he willed and made me fight.
"To make themselves agreeable to Branicki, who is in a dangerous state, and might possibly get better if he heard that my hand had been taken off." "Really that seems an incredible idea to me!" "What will your highness say on the day when I am proved to be right?" "I shall say you are deserving of the highest praise, but the day must first come."
Just then the chocolate was brought, and the chamberlain came in and looked at me with a smile. In five minutes the room was full of lords and ladies who had heard I was with Branicki, and wanted to know how we were getting on. I could see that they did not expect to find us on such good terms, and were agreeably surprised.
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