Tignonville did not know that it was in the other's nature to find
pleasure in such utmost ventures. Nevertheless the recklessness to which
Tavannes' action bore witness had its effect upon him. By the time the
young man's sword arrived something of his passion for the conflict had
evaporated; and though the touch of the hilt restored his determination,
the locked door, the confined space, and the unaccustomed light went a
certain distance towards substituting despair for courage.
The use of the dagger in the duels of that day, however, rendered despair
itself formidable. And Tignonville, when he took his place, appeared
anything but a mean antagonist. He had removed his robe and cowl, and
lithe and active as a cat he stood as it were on springs, throwing his
weight now on this foot and now on that, and was continually in motion.
The table bearing the candles had been pushed against the window, the
boarding of which had been replaced by Bigot before he left the room.
Tignonville had this, and consequently the lights, on his dagger hand;
and he plumed himself on the advantage, considering his point the more
difficult to follow.
Count Hannibal did not seem to notice this, however. "Are you ready?" he
asked. And then-"On guard!" he cried, and he stamped the echo to the word. But, that
done, instead of bearing the other down with a headlong rush
characteristic of the man--as Tignonville feared--he held off warily,
stooping low; and when his slow opening was met by one as cautious, he
began to taunt his antagonist.
"Come!" he cried, and feinted half-heartedly. "Come, Monsieur, are we
going to fight, or play at fighting?"
"Fight yourself, then!" Tignonville answered, his breath quickened by
excitement and growing hope. "'Tis not I hold back!" And he lunged, but
was put aside.
"Ca! ca!" Tavannes retorted; and he lunged and parried in his turn, but
loosely and at a distance.
After which the two moved nearer the door, their eyes glittering as they
watched one another, their knees bent, the sinews of their backs
straining for the leap. Suddenly Tavannes thrust, and leapt away, and as
his antagonist thrust in return the Count swept the blade aside with a
strong parry, and for a moment seemed to be on the point of falling on
Tignonville with the poniard. But Tignonville retired his right foot
nimbly, which brought them front to front again. And the younger man
laughed.
"Try again, M. le Comte!" he said. And, with the word, he dashed in
himself quick as light; for a second the blades ground on one another,
the daggers hovered, the two suffused faces glared into one another; then
the pair disengaged again.
The blood trickled from a scratch on Count Hannibal's neck; half an inch
to the right and the point had found his throat. And Tignonville,
elated, laughed anew, and swaying from side to side on his hips, watched
with growing confidence for a second chance. Lithe as one of the
leopards Charles kept at the Louvre, he stooped lower and lower, and more
and more with each moment took the attitude of the assailant, watching
for an opening; while Count Hannibal, his face dark and his eyes
vigilant, stood increasingly on the defence. The light was waning a
little, the wicks of the candles were burning long; but neither noticed
it or dared to remove his eyes from the other's. Their laboured
breathing found an echo on the farther side of the door, but this again
neither observed.