Garnache bethought him that his last hour was assuredly at hand.

Well, if he must take his death, he might as well take it here upon Marius's sword as upon another's.

So he would risk it for the sake of leaving upon Marius some token by which he might remember him.

He swung his chair aloft, uncovering himself for a second.
The young man's sword darted in like a shaft of light.

Nimbly Garnache stepped aside to avoid it, and moved nearer his opponent.