"All I know of them is the famous lighted cigar." Bismarck answered with some angry words and at the close of the sitting sent a challenge.

Four days later a duel with pistols took place--the only one he ever fought.

Neither was injured.

It seems that Vincke, who had the first shot, seeing that Bismarck (who had received the sacrament the night before) was praying, missed on purpose; Bismarck then shot into the air.
For these reasons he did not stand for re-election when the Chamber was dissolved in 1852, although the King was very much displeased with his determination.

He was shortly afterwards appointed member of the newly constituted House of Lords, but though he occasionally voted, as in duty bound, for Government measures, he never spoke; he was not to be heard again in the Parliament until he appeared there as President of the Ministry.