As our eyes met--"So, master meddler," quoth he mockingly, "you crow less lustily than is your wont." "Hound!" I gasped, choking with rage, "if you are a man, if there be a spark of pride or honour left in your lying, cowardly soul, order your assassins to give me my sword, and, wounded though I be, I'll fight with you this duel that you lured me here to fight." He laughed harshly.
"I told you but this morning, Master de Luynes, that a St.Auban does not fight men of your stamp.

You forced a rendezvous upon me; you shall reap the consequences." Despite the weakness arising from loss of blood, I sprang towards him, beside myself with fury.

But ere I had covered half the distance that lay between us my arms were gripped from behind, and in my spent condition I was held there, powerless, at the Marquis's mercy.

He came slowly forward until we were but some two feet apart.

For a second he stood leering at me, then, raising his hand, he struck me--struck a man whose arms another held!--full upon the face.