For an instant the tempestuous action, the brilliant, swift play of the sword, the quivering flippancy of the steel, gave Dyck that which almost disconcerted him.

Yet he had a grip of himself, and preserved his defence intact; though once his enemy's steel caught his left shoulder, making it bleed.

The seconds, however, decided that the thrust was not serious, and made no attempt to interrupt the combat.
Dyck kept singularly cool.

As Mallow's face grew flushed, his own grew paler, but it was the paleness of intensity and not of fear.

Each man's remarkable skill in defence was a good guarantee against disaster due to carelessness.