"Time!" cried Lord Sadler, and once again we advanced to the
assault.
He was flushed, and his small eyes were as vicious as those of a
bull-dog. There was hatred on his face. For my part I carried
myself lightly and gaily. A French gentleman fights but he does
not hate. I drew myself up before him, and I bowed as I have
done in the duello.
There can be grace and courtesy as well as defiance in a bow; I
put all three into this one, with a touch of ridicule in the
shrug which accompanied it. It was at this moment that he struck
me. The room spun round me. I fell upon my back. But in an
instant I was on my feet again and had rushed to a close combat.
His ear, his hair, his nose, I seized them each in turn. Once
again the mad joy of the battle was in my veins. The old cry of
triumph rose to my lips. "Vive l'Empereur!" I yelled as I drove
my head into his stomach. He threw his arm round my neck, and
holding me with one hand he struck me with the other. I buried
my teeth in his arm, and he shouted with pain.
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