i and Carlo
di Souza. Everybody wore a grave, not to say solemn, air. The two
adversaries were placed opposite to one another and their eyes met.
Santa Margherita, who had the direction of the combat, noticed that
Rutolo's shirt was very stiffly starched and the collar too high. He
remarked upon it to Casteldieri who exchanged a few words with his
principal, and Sperelli saw the blood rush to his adversary's face while
he proceeded resolutely to divest himself of his shirt. Andrea with cold
composure followed his example. He then turned up his trousers and Santa
Margherita handed him the glove, the strap and the rapier. He armed
himself with scrupulous care, and shook his weapon slightly to see that
he had it well in hand. The movement brought out the play of his biceps
very visibly bearing witness to long practice of the arm and the
strength it had thereby acquired.

When the two combatants measured their swords for the distance, that of
Giannetto Rutolo shook convulsively. After the usual set phrases as to
the honour and good faith of the combatants, Santa Margherita gave the
word in a ringing powerful voice.

'Gentlemen--on guard!'

The duellists threw themselves on guard simultaneously; Rutolo, with a
stamp of the foot, Sperelli, bending forward lightly. Rutolo was of
medium height, very slender, all nerves, with an olive face, to which
the curled moustaches and the little pointed beard a la Charles I. in
Van Dyck's pictures lent a certain piquant and dashing air. Sperelli was
taller, more dignified, admirable of attitude, calm and collected,
perfectly balanced between grace and strength, his whole person
proclaiming the _grand seigneur_. They looked each other full in the
eye, and each experienced a curious internal thrill at the sight of the
bare flesh against which he pointed his sharp blade. Through the silence
came the fresh murmur of the fountain mingled with the rustle of the
breeze among the climbing rose-bushes, where innumerable yellow and
white roses nodded their fragrant heads.

'Play!' cried the Baron.

Andrea was prepared for an impetuous attack from Rutolo, but the latter
did not move. For about a minute, they stood watching each other closely
without ever crossing swords, almost motionless. Sperelli bending his
knees still more, on guard with the point low, assumed the tierce guard
and sought to provoke his adversary by the insolent challenge of his
eyes and by stamping his foot. Rutolo made a