In my heart I felt a dull pain at his words, a fear that they might prove too true; but I remained where I was, determined to take no step aside until she herself should judge between us.
"Will you stand back, Monsieur ?" he said, haughtily, dropping his hand upon the hilt of his rapier, "or shall I show you how a gentleman of France deals with such impertinence ?" If he thought to affright me with his bravado, he reckoned ill of my nature, for I have ever driven badly; my blood seems slow to heat, though it was warm enough now.
"If the lady wishes it, you may pass," I answered shortly, my eyes never leaving his face.

"Otherwise, if you take so much as another step I will crush every bone in your body." He saw I meant it, but there was no cowardice in him; and the steel had already flashed in the sunlight to make good his threat, when she touched me gently upon the shoulder.
"I beg you do not fight," she urged.

"I am not worthy, and 't is all unneeded.

Captain de Croix," and she swept him a curtsey which had the grace of a drawing-room in it, "'t is indeed most strange that we should meet again in such a spot as this.

No contrast could be greater than the memory of our last parting.