The blow fell upon Caleb's first finger and severed it, cutting the others also, so that it dropped to the ground with the sword that they had held.

Marcus put his foot upon the blade, and wheeled round.
"Young man," he said sternly, "you have learnt your lesson and will bear the mark of it till your death day.

Now begone." The wretched Caleb ground his teeth.

"It was to the death!" he said, "it was to the death! You have conquered, kill me," and with his bloody hand he tore open his robe to make a path for the sword.
"Leave such talk to play-actors," answered Marcus.

"Begone, and be sure of this--that if ever you try to bring treachery on me, or trouble on the lady Miriam, I will kill you sure enough." Then with a sound that was half curse and half sob, Caleb turned and slunk away.