d so shut us in from the observation of passers-by. The
clanging of those gates brought the landlord and a couple of his knaves,
and we were subjected to the prayers and intercessions, to the stormings
and ravings that are ever the prelude of a stable-yard fight, but which
invariably end, as these ended, in the landlord's withdrawal to run for
help to the nearest corps-de-garde.

"Now, my myrmillones," cried La Fosse in bloodthirsty jubilation, "to
work before the host returns."

"Po' Cap de Dieu!" growled Castelroux, "is this a time for jests, master
joker?"

"Jests?" I heard him retorting, as he assisted me to doff my doublet.
"Do I jest? Diable! you Gascons are a slow-witted folk! I have a taste
for allegory, my friend, but that never yet was accounted so low a thing
as jesting."

At last we were ready, and I shifted the whole of my attention to the
short, powerful figure of Chatellerault as he advanced upon me, stripped
to the waist, his face set and his eyes full of stern resolve. Despite
his low stature, and the breadth of frame which argue sluggish motion,
there was something very formidable about the Count. His bared arms were
great masses of muscular flesh, and if his wrist were but half as
supple as it looked powerful, that alone should render him a dangerous
antagonist.

Yet I had no qualm of fear, no doubt, even, touching the issue. Not that
I was an habitual ferrailleur. As I have indicated, I had fought but one
man in all my life. Nor yet am I of those who are said to know no fear
under any circumstances. Such men are not truly brave; they are stupid
and unimaginative, in proof of which I will advance the fact that you
may incite a timid man to deeds of reckless valour by drugging him with
wine. But this is by the way. It may be that the very regular fencing
practice that in Paris I was wont to take may so have ordered my mind
that the fact of meeting unbaited steel had little power to move me.

Be that as it may, I engaged the Count without a tremor either of the
flesh or of the spirit. I was resolved to wait and let him open the
play, that I might have an opportunity of measuring his power and seeing
how best I might dispose of him. I was determined to do him no hurt,
and to leave him, as I had sworn, to the headsman; and so, either by
pressure or by seizure, it was my aim to disarm him.

But on his side also he entered upon the duel with all caution and
wariness. From his rage I had hoped for a