"
"There can be no doubt about his real rank," said Vidalinc, "for
the Marquis de Bruyeres guarantees it; but I must confess that his
unequalled performance to-day filled me with astonishment; it was simply
marvellous. Neither Girolamo nor Paraguante, those two world-renowned
swordsmen, could have surpassed it. I watched him closely, and I tell
you that even they could not have withstood him. It took all your
remarkable skill--which has been so greatly enhanced by the Neapolitan's
instructions--to avoid being mortally wounded; why your defeat was a
victory in my eyes, in that it was not a more overwhelming one."
"I don't know how I am to wait for this wound to heal," the duke said,
after a short pause, "I am so impatient to provoke him again, and have
the opportunity to revenge myself."
"That would be a very hazardous proceeding, and one that I should
strongly advise you not to attempt," Vidalinc replied in an earnest
tone. "Your sword-arm will scarcely be as strong as before for a long
time I fear, and that would seriously diminish your chances of success.
This Baron de Sigognac is a very formidable antagonist, and will be
still more so, for you, now that he knows your tactics; and besides, the
confidence in himself which his first victory naturally gives him would
be another thing in his favour.
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