Duel-narrative

Calcutta, Thursday

My Dearest Marian,
I have desired Sir John  Day to inform you that I have had a Meeting this Morning with Mr Francis, who has received a Wound in his Side, but I hope not dangerous. I shall  know the State of it presently, and will write to you again. He is at Belvidere [sic], and Drs Campbell and Francis are both gone to attend him there.
(...)

W.H.

Warren Hastings writes to his wife, then in Chinsurah. A famous story. One of those bifurcated points in history, when one single, famous incident tempts you to think of the possibilities of the dis-narrative.