Gauvain hesitated.
Torturing perplexities!
Two abysses opened before Gauvain,—to destroy the Marquis, or to save him? Into one or the other he must needs plunge. Towards which of these two did duty call him?
[III]
THE COMMANDER'S HOOD.
The question had indeed resolved itself in a matter of duty.
Duty arose stem-visaged and immutable before the spirit of Cimourdain, and terrible before that of Gauvain.
Simple to the one; complex, many-sided, devious, to the other.
The hour of midnight sounded; then one o'clock.