However, she displayed a presence of mind full worthy of the haughtiness and ingratitude of which she had showed herself capable.

She urged her mule forward, and, so, left him a clear road to attack me.

I made a mistake then that went mighty near to costing me my life.

I paused to twist my cloak about my left arm intending to use it as a buckler.

Had I but risked the arm itself, all unprotected, in that task, it may well be that it had served me better.
As it was, my preparations were far from complete when already he was upon me, with the result that the waving slack of my cloak was in my way to hamper and retard the movements of my arm.
His sword leapt at me, a murderous blue-white flash of moonlit steel.
I put up my half-swaddled arm to divert the thrust, holding my dagger ready in my right, and gripping my mule with all the strength of my two knees.