The light was waning a little, the wicks of the candles were burning long; but neither noticed it or dared to remove his eyes from the other's.

Their laboured breathing found an echo on the farther side of the door, but this again neither observed.
"Well ?" Count Hannibal said at last.

"Are you coming ?" "When I please," Tignonville answered; and he feinted but drew back.
The other did the same, and again they watched one another, their eyes seeming to grow smaller and smaller.

Gradually a smile had birth on Tignonville's lips.

He thrust! It was parried! He thrust again--parried! Tavannes, grown still more cautious, gave a yard.
Tignonville pushed on, but did not allow confidence to master caution.