"
"Hound!" I gasped, choking with rage, "if you are a man, if there be a
spark of pride or honour left in your lying, cowardly soul, order your
assassins to give me my sword, and, wounded though I be, I'll fight with
you this duel that you lured me here to fight."
He laughed harshly.
"I told you but this morning, Master de Luynes, that a St. Auban does not
fight men of your stamp. You forced a rendezvous upon me; you shall reap
the consequences."
Despite the weakness arising from loss of blood, I sprang towards him,
beside myself with fury. But ere I had covered half the distance that lay
between us my arms were gripped from behind, and in my spent condition I
was held there, powerless, at the Marquis's mercy. He came slowly forward
until we were but some two feet apart. For a second he stood leering at
me, then, raising his hand, he struck me--struck a man whose arms another
held!--full upon the face. Passion for the moment lent me strength, and in
that moment I had wrenched my right arm free and returned his blow with
interest.
With an oath he got out a dagger that hung from his baldrick.
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