He wrung my hand, and went to his station; and Louis and I placed ourselves on either side of the two, ready, with our swords drawn, to interfere should need arise. The signal was given, the principals saluted, and fell on guard, and in a moment the grinding and clicking of the blades began, while the pigeons of the Cathedral flew in eddies above us, and in the middle of the garden a little fountain tinkled softly in the sunshine.
They had not made three passes before the great diversity of their styles became apparent. While Hugues played vigorously with his body, stooping, and moving, and stepping aside, but keeping his arm stiff, and using his wrist much, M. le Marquis held his body erect and still, but moved his arm, and, fencing with a school correctness, as if he held a foil, disdained all artifices save those of the weapon. It was clear that he was the better fencer, and that, of the two, the Captain must tire first, since he was never still, and the wrist is more quickly fatigued that the arm; but, in addition to this, I soon perceived that the Marquis was not putting forth his full strength, but, depending on his defence, was waiting to tire out his opponent. My eyes grew hot, my throat dry, as I watched breathlessly, waiting for the stroke that must finish all--waiting and flinching. And then, on a sudden, something happened. The Captain seemed to slip, yet did not slip, but in a moment, stooping almost prone, his left hand on the ground, was under the other's guard. His point was at the Marquis's breast, when the latter sprang back--sprang back, and just saved himself. Before the Captain could recover his footing, Louis dashed his sword aside.
"Foul play!" he cried passionately. "Foul play! A stroke dessous! It is not en règle."
The Captain stood breathing quickly, his point to the ground. "But why not, Monsieur?" he said. Then he looked to me.
"I scarcely understand, M. de St. Alais," I said stiffly. "The stroke----"
"Is not allowed."
"In the schools," I said. "But this is a duel."
"I have never seen it used in a duel," he said.
"No matter," I answered warmly. "To interfere on such provocation is absurd."
"Monsieur!"