Not that M. de Mornand evinced any signs of cowardice! On the contrary, he manifested the courage which any well-bred man is almost sure to display, but he was unmistakably nervous, and, though he showed a fair knowledge of fencing, his play was characterised by excessive prudence. He held himself out of reach as much as possible, and always upon the defensive, parrying his antagonist's thrusts skilfully enough, but never attacking. [Illustration: Ran His Blade Through His Antagonist's Right Arm] For a single instant Ravil, and even Gerald, were terrified at the expression of ferocious hatred that overspread the features of the marquis when he confronted his adversary, but, suddenly recovering himself, he became the same gay, mocking cynic as at the beginning of this strange scene, and, as the look of sullen rage he had concentrated upon M. de Mornand softened, his thrusts became less violent and murderous, and, at last, wishing doubtless to end the affair, he made a feint. M. de Mornand responded ingenuously, whereupon his opponent, with a quick, upward thrust, ran his blade through his antagonist's right arm. At the sight of blood, Gerald and Ravil both sprang forward, exclaiming: "Enough, gentlemen, enough!" Both men lowered their swords on hearing this exclamation, and the marquis said, in a clear voice: "I declare myself satisfied; I will even humbly beg your pardon--for being a hunchback, M. de Mornand. It is the only excuse I can reasonably offer you." "It is sufficient, monsieur," said M. de Mornand, with a bitter smile, while Gerald and De Ravil bound up the wounded arm with the aid of a handkerchief. This done, the two men re-dressed themselves, after which M. de Maillefort said to M. de Mornand: "Will you grant me the favour of a moment's conversation in another room?" "I am at your service." "Will you permit it, Gerald?" "Certainly," replied the young duke. The two gentlemen having stepped into Gerald's bedroom, the hunchback said, in his usual mocking way: "Though it may be in very poor taste to speak of one's generosity, my dear sir, I am obliged to admit that for a minute or two I felt strongly inclined to kill you, and that it would have been a very easy matter for me to do it." "You should have availed yourself of the opportunity, monsieur." "But I reflected--" "And with what object?" "You will excuse me, I am sure, for not opening my whole heart to you, but permit me to beg that you will consider the slight wound you have just received merely an aid to memory." "I do not understand you in the least, monsieur." "You know, of course, that one often places a bit of paper in one's snuff-box, or ties a knot in the corner of one's handkerchief, to remind one of a rendezvous or a promise." "Yes, monsieur; and what of it, may I ask?"