His sword flew from its scabbard, and in fearful passion he exclaimed--"Tyrant and coward! How durst thou play the spy?
Is it not enough that thou hast robbed me of a treasure whose value thou canst never know?
for her love was mine alone ere thou earnest between us, and by base arts and cruel force compelled her to be thine.

Ha! wouldst thou avoid me?
refuse to cross my sword! Draw, or I will proclaim thee coward in the face of the whole world!" With a faint cry, Marie had thrown herself between them; but strength failed with the effort, and she would have fallen had not Morales upheld her with his left arm.

But she had not fainted; every sense felt wrung into unnatural acuteness Except to support her, Morales had made no movement; his tall figure was raised to its fullest height, and his right arm calmly uplifted as his sole protection against Arthur.

"Put up your sword," he said firmly, and fixing his large dark eyes upon his irritated adversary, with a gaze far more of sorrow than of anger, "I will not fight thee.

Proclaim me what thou wilt.