es were steady.

However, I had the light full in my face, and he was not slow to see
the annoyance it caused me. I knew I could not maintain such a fight
for long, so I pressed him sternly and the bright sparks flew.
Backwards, step by step he retreated, until he had almost reached the
door out of which he came. I durst not withdraw my eyes from his, yet
I had seen the lady run swiftly up the inner stairs, whether for help
or for other assassins I could not guess.

Still back, ever pressing him desperately back, the fight went, and he
stood again inside the door, at the very foot of the stair. Now every
advantage was mine, for he was well within the glow of the lamp, every
movement distinctly visible, while I yet stood in darkness.

"For the sake of mercy, my lord, come quick." It was the girl's voice
at the head of the stairs; "there they are. They will desist if you
command it." And I heard the heavy tread of two men coming down the
stairs, a lighter step behind them. My foot touched something which
lay in the dense shadow of the doorstep. It felt soft, a package of
some kind. Then I remember seeing something fall from the cloak of my
adversary forgotten in the heat of the fray. I placed my foot upon it.

"What quarrel is this, gentlemen? Put by your swords?"

The voice was that of a man accustomed to obedience. My antagonist
stood entirely upon the defensive; I stepped back a pace and we rested
at ease. He leaned heavily against the balustrade; his breath came
hard; I could see he was nearly spent, so furious had been our short
contest. His face showed, besides, the flush of too much wine, or
perchance I had not been so fortunate.

"What mean you, gentlemen? Your quarrel?"

"I did but kiss the wench, and this fellow set upon me in the dark."

"Aye, my lord," I replied stoutly, according to the stranger the
respect he seemed to command. "A wanton insult to this lady whom I met
unprotected in the streets, and saw her safely to her gate. Who she
is, or what, I know not."

The two men looked at each other, from the girl to me, then burst into
such peals of incredulous laughter as roused my anger again. Even my
late foe joined in, but faintly.

"Would either of you, my lords, be pleased to take the matter up?" for
I was hot now indeed.

But they only laughed the more. The lady looked much confused.

"Thou art not of Paris?" the taller man asked.

"No, this is my first night in Paris."