"Ere you drew your rapier, I think your lust for murder would have fled.

So let us leave our blades in their sheaths and permit my curiosity, to ask just one more question: What consideration induces you, Sir Knight, to constrain yourself to discreet peaceableness toward me, who, Heaven knows, excited your ire with no evil intent ?" "The same which restrains you from the duel with me," replied Wolf quietly; and then, in a warmer tone, continued: "You are dear to me because you have shown me kindness ever since I came to the court.

But you are the last person who would admit that gratitude should fetter the hand which desires to defend itself.

In comparison with you, Baron, I am but an insignificant man, but noble blood flows in my veins as well as in yours, and I, too, am no coward.

Perhaps you suspect it because I have accepted many things from you which I would overlook from no one else.