At length, frantic at some real or supposed injurious insinuation, I actually struck Rashleigh with my fist.

No Stoic philosopher, superior to his own passion and that of others, could have received an insult with a higher degree of scorn.

What he himself did not think it apparently worth while to resent, Thorncliff resented for him.

Swords were drawn, and we exchanged one or two passes, when the other brothers separated us by main force; and I shall never forget the diabolical sneer which writhed Rashleigh's wayward features, as I was forced from the apartment by the main strength of two of these youthful Titans.

They secured me in my apartment by locking the door, and I heard them, to my inexpressible rage, laugh heartily as they descended the stairs.