The Masqueraders · Chapter
XVI: Unaccountable Behaviour of Sir Anthony Fanshawe explained
Sir Anthony learns from Mr.
What happens
Sir Anthony learns from Mr. Belfort that Mr. Rensley has challenged young Merriot to a duel. After Belfort leaves, Sir Anthony writes a letter and seals it. He goes to White's, where he overhears talk of Rensley taking a fencing lesson from Galliano. Sir Anthony leads a group to Galliano's, confronts Rensley, insults him, and forces a duel. Sir Anthony wounds Rensley in the arm, disabling him.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Prudence arrives at Fanshawe’s house expecting a social gathering where her duel with Rensley will be noticed,…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Honor and Reputation
Sir Anthony deliberately provokes Rensley to defend Merriot's honor and expose Rensley's cowardice, culminating in a duel.
- Deception and Ingenuity
Prudence maintains her disguise as Mr. Merriot while Sir Anthony secretly acts to protect her from Rensley's challenge.
Characters to notice
- Sir Anthony Fanshawe
Learns of Rensley's challenge to Merriot, writes a sealed letter, then deliberately provokes and fights Rensley, wounding him.
- Mr. Belfort
Visits Sir Anthony early to discuss a horse and reveals Rensley's duel with Merriot.
- Mr. Rensley
Challenges Merriot, takes a fencing lesson from Galliano, then is provoked by Sir Anthony and wounded in the ensuing duel.
- Prudence Tremaine
Disguised as Mr. Merriot, accepts Sir Anthony's dinner invitation but is inwardly anxious about her secret.
- Devereux
Accompanies Prudence to choose a waistcoat, having spread rumors about Merriot's fencing skill.
- Galliano
Fencing master who gives Rensley a lesson and later witnesses the duel between Sir Anthony and Rensley.
Key passages
“He read over what he had written and dusted the paper with sand. It was sealed up with a wafer, and a big blot of red wax, and placed in one of the drawers of the desk.”
Sir Anthony reviewed his letter, dried the ink, sealed it with wax, and stored it in his desk.
Foreshadows Sir Anthony's preparation for the possibility of his death in the duel.
“I say, Mr. Rensley, that you dare not meet me now or at any time.”
Sir Anthony declares that Rensley is too afraid to ever face him in a duel.
Sir Anthony's deliberate insult forces Rensley into a fight, revealing his strategic manipulation.
