# XVI: Unaccountable Behaviour of Sir Anthony Fanshawe explained — The Masqueraders

> Chapter companion for The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer.

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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