Evelyn Berckman in her biography of St Vincent, gives fuller details about Orde's challenge.
'The Times of October 5th 1799 carried a curious item. Sir John Orde had been arrested at four in the morning at Durant's hotel by special constables Townshend and Sayers. A local JP names Ford, tipped off about the challenge and about the rendezvous chosen, had 'intervened to frustrate the intention'......Townshend hung on to Orde, in spite of outraged protests, until 11 o'clock in the morning. He had wished to send Sayers at once to arrest St Vincent before he could leave his home, but Orde, greatly a gentleman, objected; such an invasion before dawn might alarm the delicate and ailing Lady St Vincent [what about hoping to kill her husband??] ...still detained by officers, he capitulated at last and gave bail for keeping the peace. At once, Townshend, energetic arm that he was, posted off to the country, found St Vincent waiting upon the duelling ground chosen in Brentwood, and arrested him too. In the end, the Earl also gave bail to keep the peace'
Another report about this curious incident that I have read somewhere (can't recall) was that the King expressly forbade St. V. to take part in the duel which gave him the opportunity to refuse.
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