The duel between Gabriel and the governor was of short duration. The two combatants seemed to be equally expert swordsmen. Both showed equal coolness in a like state of fury. Their blades were entwined together like two serpents, and crossed and recrossed with the rapidity of lightning. However, after two minutes fencing, Lord Wentworth's sword was struck from his hand by a vigorous counter on Gabriel's part. In crouching to avoid the stroke, Lord Wentworth slipped upon the floor and fell. Anger, scorn, hatred, and all the violent emotions which were struggling in Gabriel's heart left no room for generosity. There was no quarter for such a foe. In an instant he was upon him, with his sword at his breast. There was not one of those who were present at the scene, inflamed as they were with indignation so lately aroused, who would have cared to stay the avenging hand. But Diane de Castro while the fight was in progress had had time to recover from her swoon. As she raised her heavy eyelids she saw and understood all, and rushed between Gabriel and Lord Wentworth. [Illustration: Love Disdained.] By an extraordinary coincidence, the last word she had uttered as she fainted was the first upon her lips when she regained consciousness. "Mercy!" She prayed for mercy for the very man to whom she had herself prayed in vain. Gabriel, at the sight of his idolized Diane, and the sound of her omnipotent voice, no longer was sensible of anything except her gentleness and his love for her. In his heart rage at once gave way to clemency. "Do you wish him to live, Diane?" he asked his beloved. "I beg it of you, Gabriel," said she; "for ought we not to give him time to repent?" "So be it!" said the young man; "let the angel save the demon's life,--it is her proper role." And still keeping Lord Wentworth, boiling with rage, under his knee, he said quietly to the Peuquoys and the archers,-- "Come here and bind this man while I hold him; then you can imprison him in his own dwelling until Monsieur de Guise determines his fate." "No! kill me, kill me!" cried Lord Wentworth, struggling furiously. "Do as I say!" said Gabriel, without loosing his hold. "I begin to think that life will be a greater burden to him than death." Gabriel's orders were obeyed; and Lord Wentworth struggled and fumed and threatened in vain, for he was gagged and bound in an instant. Then two or three of the men took the ex-governor of Calais in their arms and carried him off, without ceremony. Gabriel then turned to Jean Peuquoy, and said to him in his cousin's hearing,-- "My friend, I have already told Martin-Guerre the extraordinary story of his impersonation in your presence. You then deplored the cruel error which led to the punishment of an innocent man; and you asked for nothing better, I know, than to relieve as speedily as possible the terrible suffering he is at this moment undergoing for another. Do me a favor then--"