I had plenty of use for my eyes with the immediate business in hand;
but, as I chanced to be facing them, I had a vision of Courtney--his
mask off--leaning forward intently watching the fight. Then, he calmly
returned sword and drew back.
I heard the Marquise exclaim: "_Mon Dieu_! Someone is trying to kill
His Highness--we must save him!"
But Courtney clapped his hand over her mouth and silenced her. Even in
the press of the duel, I think, I smiled.
"Your pardon, my dear Marquise," he said, loudly--so I would hear it, I
knew--"His Highness needs no saving."
Then I heard no more--for the Duke assumed the offensive fiercely and
his sword began to move like lightning. And well, indeed, was it, for
me, that I had learned something of this gentle game of fence, else had
that night been my last on Earth.
Then, of a sudden, from out a sharp rally, came the first strokes of
Moore's _coup_. I had been expecting it. I steadied myself to meet
it, giving back just a trifle to lead Lotzen to think it was new to me.
He pressed me hotly and, at length, the final position came--the way
was open.
"Take it!" he said, savagely--and sent the thrust that should have made
good his promise to bury the whole blade in my heart.
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