Was it physical weakness or a sudden decay of confidence?
He did not see any sign of weariness in his young opponent, and putting forth every effort of his muscles and every trick and device he knew he could not break through that shining guard of circling steel.
The strange apprehension that had suddenly found a place in de Mezy's mind began to grow.

The slow retreat of his young antagonist was becoming slower and then it ceased entirely.

Now the leaping sword before him began to drive him back, and always the calm smiling eyes probed into his, reading what he would keep hidden deep in his heart.
They saw the terror that was growing there.

The disbelief in his antagonist's prowess was now fast turning into a hideous contradiction, and all the while drink and the lost hours that had clamored for their price were taking it.
De Mezy began to give back.

His breath grew shorter and he gasped.