Even as he spoke his taunting words, he saw her hand go quickly towards the cutlass she carried at her side. And he smiled as he sprang up and changed his place to the other settle, thus putting the open trap-door to the cellar below between himself and her.
“Come,” said she, frowning and tossing back her short hair like a fury, “you shall not say but I play you fair. Out with your sword and fight me again, as you did that day. If you get the best of it this time I’ll see you safe out of this, I give you my word.”
Tregenna shook his head.
“I can neither take your word, nor fight you,” said he, lightly.
“You have fought me before! Did you find me such a contemptible foe?”
“No, indeed. But—I knew you not then for a woman.”
“Well, and you own me not for a woman now!”
“Just too much of a woman for me to fight with you I will own you to be.”
“Well, then, since you find me too much of a woman to be fought with, you shall find me woman enough to give me a kiss.”
“Nay, madam, I would rather be excused from that mark of your favor also. A kiss may be given with the lips and a stab with the hand at the same time.”