Upon entering, I thrust him furiously from me. He staggered
against the wall, while I closed the door with an oath, and
commanded him to draw. He hesitated but for an instant; then, with a
slight sigh, drew in silence, and put himself upon his defence.
The contest was brief indeed. I was frantic with every species of
wild excitement, and felt within my single arm the energy and power of
a multitude. In a few seconds I forced him by sheer strength against
the wainscoting, and thus, getting him at mercy, plunged my sword,
with brute ferocity, repeatedly through and through his bosom.
At that instant some person tried the latch of the door. I
hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to
my dying antagonist. But what human language can adequately portray
that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle
then presented to view? The brief moment in which I averted my eyes
had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the
arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
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