It may be that the very regular fencing practice that in Paris I was wont to take may so have ordered my mind that the fact of meeting unbaited steel had little power to move me.
Be that as it may, I engaged the Count without a tremor either of the flesh or of the spirit.

I was resolved to wait and let him open the play, that I might have an opportunity of measuring his power and seeing how best I might dispose of him.

I was determined to do him no hurt, and to leave him, as I had sworn, to the headsman; and so, either by pressure or by seizure, it was my aim to disarm him.
But on his side also he entered upon the duel with all caution and wariness.

From his rage I had hoped for a wild, angry rush that should afford me an easy opportunity of gaining my ends with him.

Not so, however.