It was but for a moment.

Caesar watched with a steady eye the descending hand of Clodius, arrested the blow, seized his antagonist by the throat, and flung him against one of the pillars of the portico with such violence, that he rolled, stunned and senseless, on the ground.
"He is killed," cried several voices.
"Fair self-defence, by Hercules!" said Marcus Coelius.

"Bear witness, you all saw him draw his dagger." "He is not dead--he breathes," said Ligarius.

"Carry him into the house; he is dreadfully bruised." The rest of the party retired with Clodius.

Coelius turned to Caesar.
"By all the Gods, Caius! you have won your lady fairly.