I was not sure that it was not anger since his mien looked much like it.

I did not know what was going to happen, and was in an agony of suspense.

Anything was possible with this brutish duke when his brain was crazed with passion.
All who had been near the ducal throne moved back, till no one was within ten yards of Charles save Max.

The duke wore a dagger and a shirt of mail; Max wore neither arms nor armor.

After the courtiers stepped back from the throne a deep, expectant hush fell upon the room.