Count Hannibal

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boarding of which had been replaced by Bigot before he left the room.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.