"I--" "Give me a sword," Tignonville repeated, holding out his open trembling hands.

"A sword! A sword! 'Tis easy taunting an unarmed man, but--" "You wish to fight ?" "I ask no more! No more! Give me a sword," he urged, his voice quivering with eagerness.

"It is you who are the coward!" Count Hannibal stared at him.

"And what am I to get by fighting you ?" he reasoned slowly.

"You are in my power.