Heliobas spoke; he was coldly calm, and balanced his sword lightly on his open hand as if it were a toy.
"This GENTLEMAN," he said, with deliberate emphasis, "happened, on his way thither, to meet Dr.Morini, who informed him of the fatal catastrophe which has caused my sister's death.

Instead of respecting the sacredness of my solitude under the circumstances, he thrust himself rudely into my presence, and, before I could address him, struck me violently in the face, and accused me of being my sister's murderer.

Such conduct can only meet with one reply.

I gave him his choice of weapons: he chose swords.

Our combat has just begun--we are anxious to resume it; therefore if you, mademoiselle, will have the goodness to retire---" I interrupted him.
"I shall certainly not retire," I said firmly.