Rudolf came forward and laid his by it. Then he took up
both, and, crossing to the mantelpiece, laid them there; between
there he placed the queen's letter. A bright blaze burnt in the
grate; it needed but the slightest motion of his hand to set the
letter beyond all danger. But he placed it carefully on the
mantelpiece, and, with a slight smile on his face, turned to
Rupert, saying: "Now shall we resume the bout that Fritz von
Tarlenheim interrupted in the forest of Zenda?"
All this while they had been speaking in subdued accents,
resolution in one, anger in the other, keeping the voice in an
even, deliberate lowness. The girl outside caught only a word
here and there; but now suddenly the flash of steel gleamed on
her eyes through the crevice of the hinge. She gave a sudden
gasp, and, pressing her face closer to the opening, listened and
looked. For Rupert of Hentzau had taken the swords from their
case and put them on the table. With a slight bow Rudolf took
one, and the two assumed their positions. Suddenly Rupert lowered
his point. The frown vanished from his face, and he spoke in his
usual bantering tone.
"By the way," said he, "perhaps we're letting our feelings run
away with us.
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