His every instinct was to fling himself between the antagonists, to protest against and frustrate this meeting.  That sane impulse was curbed, however, by the consciousness of its futility.  To calm him, he clung to the conviction that the issue could not really be very serious.  If the obligations of Philippe’s honour compelled him to cross swords with the man he had struck, M. de La Tour d’Azyr’s birth compelled him no less to do no serious hurt to the unfledged lad he had so grievously provoked.  M. le Marquis, after all, was a man of honour.  He could intend no more than to administer a lesson; sharp, perhaps, but one by which his opponent must live to profit.  Andre-Louis clung obstinately to that for comfort.

Steel beat on steel, and the men engaged.  The Marquis presented to his opponent the narrow edge of his upright body, his knees slightly flexed and converted into living springs, whilst M. de Vilmorin stood squarely, a full target, his knees wooden.  Honour and the spirit of fair play alike cried out against such a match.

The encounter was very short, of course.  In youth, Philippe had received the tutoring in sword-play that was given to every boy born into his station of life.  And so he knew at least the rudiments of what was now expected of him.  But what could rudiments avail him here?  Three disengages completed the exchanges, and then without any haste the Marquis slid his right foot along the moist turf, his long, graceful body extending itself in a lunge that went under M. de Vilmorin’s clumsy guard, and with the utmost deliberation he drove his blade through the young man’s vitals.

Andre-Louis sprang forward just in time to catch his friend’s body under the armpits as it sank.  Then, his own legs bending beneath the weight of it, he went down with his burden until he was kneeling on the damp turf.  Philippe’s limp head lay against Andre-Louis’ left shoulder; Philippe’s relaxed arms trailed at his sides; the blood welled and bubbled from the ghastly wound to saturate the poor lad’s garments.

With white face and twitching lips, Andre-Louis looked up at M. de La Tour d’Azyr, who stood surveying his work with a countenance of grave but remorseless interest.

“You have killed him!” cried Andre-Louis.

“Of course.”

The Marquis ran a lace handkerchief along his blade to wipe it.  As he let the dainty fabric fall, he explained himself.  “He had, as I told him, a too dangerous gift of eloquence.”

And he turned away, leaving completest understanding with Andre-Louis.  Still supporting the limp, draining body, the young man called to him.

“Come back, you cowardly murderer, and make yourself quite safe by killing me too!”

The Marquis half turned, his face dark with anger.  Then M. de Chabrillane set a restraining hand upon his arm.  Although a party throughout to the deed, the Chevalier was a little appalled now that it was done.  He had not the high stomach of M. de La Tour d’Azyr, and he was a good deal younger.