[sinclairfan]

Mrs Hurtle, in "The Way We Live Now", writing to a female rival in a love triangle:

I desire you to come to me,--according to your promise,--and you will find me with a horsewhip in my hand.  I will whip you till I have not a breath in my body.  And then I will see what you dare to do;--whether you will drag me into a court of law for the assault.  Yes; come.