I had a moral to inculcate, and the injuries he might receive in the course of it were inconsiderable details so that the lesson was borne in upon his soul.

Two or three times he sought to close with me, but I eluded him; I had no mind to descend to a vulgar exchange of blows.

My object was not to brawl, but to administer chastisement, and this object I may claim to have accomplished with a fair degree of success.
At last Roxalanne interfered; but only when one blow a little more violent, perhaps, than its precursors resulted in the sudden snapping of the cane and Monsieur de Eustache's utter collapse into a moaning heap.
"I deplore, mademoiselle, to have offended your sight with such a spectacle, but unless these lessons are administered upon the instant their effect is not half so salutary." "He deserved it, monsieur," said she, with a note almost of fierceness in her voice.

And of such poor mettle are we that her resentment against that groaning mass of fopperies and wheals sent a thrill of pleasure through me.

I walked over to the spot where his sword had fallen, and picked it up.
"Monsieur de Saint-Eustache," said I, "you have so dishonoured this blade that I do not think you would care to wear it again." Saying which, I snapped it across my knee, and flung it far out into the river, for all that the hilt was a costly one, richly wrought in bronze and gold.
He raised his livid countenance, and his eyes blazed impotent fury.
"Par la mort Dieu!" he cried hoarsely, "you shall give me satisfaction for this!" "If you account yourself still unsatisfied, I am at your service when you will," said I courteously.
Then, before more could be said, I saw Monsieur de Lavedan and the Vicomtesse approaching hurriedly across the parterre.