A cold calmness was written on his face--regret you might even have called it, were not regret under such circumstances somewhat akin to cowardice.

Abellino, holding himself sideways, advanced with little mincing steps, frequently pointing his pistol as if he were on the point of firing.

He meant to torture his adversary by holding him in suspense as long as possible without firing.
And you should have seen the malicious smile, the expression of teasing, provoking scorn, with which Abellino tried to throw his adversary into confusion.

Why, a man who can pierce a falling leaf with a bullet, may be pretty sure of his man in a duel! "Poor young fellow!" sighed Rudolph to himself, while his fellow-second was just about to call out to Abellino that such tricks were not permissible in encounters between gentlemen, when Alexander suddenly started from his place and walked with firm, unfaltering steps right up to his barrier, there stopped, raised his pistol, and took aim.

His eyes sparkled with a strange fire, and his hand was perfectly steady.
This was an unheard-of audacity.