A dice box with the ivories inside flew across the table hurled with the full strength of a vigorous shapely arm.

This was Sally Salisbury's retort.

A corner of a dice cut the lady's lip and a drop of blood trickled on to her chin.
Beyond herself with rage, Lady Anastasia seized a wine glass--a somewhat dangerous projectile, for the wine glasses of the time were large and thick and heavy--and would have dashed it at her antagonist but one of the players, a man, grasped her wrist and held it.
"Let her ladyship have her chance.

She's entitled to it.

A duel at a masquerade between two women of fashion! Why, it'll be the talk of the town for a whole week," and Sally Salisbury laughed derisively.
But so vulgar a _fracas_ was not to the taste of Lady Anastasia's friends, besides which the attendants were alarmed and ran to prevent further disturbance.