"Too much," said Pepe Castro, taking out his handkerchief, after throwing away his cigar-end, and wiping the mouthpiece with extreme care.
Every one looked at him, for he had the reputation of being a first-rate swordsman.
"Do you think so?"
"Yes, I do. Energy is a good thing up to a certain point; beyond that it is dangerous, especially with rapiers. With the broadsword something may be done by a rapid succession of attacks; it may at any rate bother the adversary. But with pointed weapons you must keep a sharp look-out. Alvaro is not much given to sword-play, but he is very cool, very keen, and his lunge is perfection. The Colonel had better be careful."
"The quarrel is about Alvaro's cousin?"
"So it would seem."
"What the devil can she matter to him?"
"Pshaw! who knows!"
"As he is not in love with her I do not understand."
"Nothing is impossible."