ance.

"Who seeks an opening so roughly?" thundered La Fosse.

"Cedric of Crandlemar!"

"The devil!" cried Cantemir, as he fell back in consternation and
fear. Indeed he would rather meet the King of devils than this
hot-headed Cedric. Katherine was not at a loss to read Count Adrian's
countenance, and straightway bade them open the door. La Fosse spoke
as his hand rested on the locker,--

"Art alone, my lord?"

"Aye, quite alone!" came in a voice so shaken Katherine fell to
trembling in very fear. Cedric threw wide the door and stood within,
facing them all. His face gleamed like marble, so colourless and still
it seemed. His body swayed by love and anger, knew not which way to
turn, but appeared to sway from side to side. His breath came
in quick, sharp pants. His hair, damp as if from fine rain, was
dishevelled. His dark eyes shot forth sparks of angry fire that burnt
all who fell beneath their glance.

"Who brought hither the maid? Did yonder pandering fool? Aye, 'twas
thou. I see it plain. Come, come, draw fool; draw ere I run thee
through and dishonour sword by attacking thee, unarmed; draw, I say,
fool!"

Count Adrian's face was ghastly. Lord Cedric raised his sword and made
a lunge at him. La Fosse was too quick for Cedric. He sprang between
and parried the pass with astounding dexterity. The monk intended it
for a finale stroke; but not so Cedric. He began a fight that was not
to be so easily ended, and he drove his sword in fury. The good monk
only wished to parry; but alas! he caught the spirit of battle and
fought. Constantine made as if to draw the maid from the scene, while
others sought to interfere with the combatants. 'Twas of no avail.
Katherine could not be moved from where she stood, white and still
as a statue; neither could they interpose between the Abbe and his
Lordship. Sorrow and dismay were written on every face, for 'twas sure
one or the other must fall of those two masters of the sword. Already
there fell at La Fosse's feet drops of blood. When Katherine saw them,
she sprang forward and cried,--

"Stop, stop in God's name, stop!" As she was about to fling herself
between them, Cedric fell heavily to the floor, a stream of blood
flowing from his breast. With a wild scream Katherine fell upon her
knees at his side and pressed her dainty handkerchief to the wound,
and began to fondle him and speak in his ear that she loved him. Aye,
she was sure now, there could be no doubt, and as s