This put a stop to the duel for a few moments, when Petro, almost beside himself with rage, now threw from him his upper garments in imitation of Carlton, and having had his hand properly dressed, yet smarting under the severe wound he had received, resumed his sword—­ Carlton remaining in the meantime resting upon his sword, careless, as it were, whether the fight was resumed or not.

“Signor Petro,” said Carlton, when they approached each other the second time, “it is evident to your friends, I presume, that you are no match for me in the weapons we hold.  I advise you to withdraw from the contest.  You have already expended your blood in the vindication of this system of honor, and wounded as you now are, can hardly do yourself justice.”

“Stand to your defence!” said the enraged Petro, whose blood was now completely up.  And unheeding the generous proposal and language of his antagonist, he rushed upon Carlton almost without warning, thus essaying to take advantage of him; but the quick and practised eye of the latter saved him, and the rain of blows and thrusts that Petro made at him were as harmless as hail-stones upon a slated roof.  Carlton acted entirely on the defensive; had it been otherwise, he could at any moment have drawn the heart’s blood of his enemy, who, only intent on the life of his successful rival, strove not at all to protect himself from the sword of Carlton while they fought.

Carlton again permitted him to work thus in his wild fury for some minutes, when at length, by another masterly effort with his weapon, he again disarmed his antagonist, throwing his blade over the heads of the company, and immediately, apparently with the same effort, he wounded Petro in the sword arm with such force and earnestness, that it fell powerless by his side.  Though severely wounded in both arms, still in his wild rage the Italian could hardly be persuaded to leave the ground peaceably.

Thus ended the duel between Carlton and Petro.

CHAPTER X.

The elopement.

Not vanquished, but cozened and beguiled.

-King Lear.

The duel described in the last chapter, it will be remembered, was not sought by Carlton.  Indeed, he would gladly have avoided it, if possible-first and foremost, because it was diametrically contrary to his principles and sense of moral rectitude; and secondly, because his opponent was indirectly kin to her whom he loved above all in life.  Thus much we say to place our hero rightly before the reader, who should not look upon him inconsistently.