Not at once did I withdraw the blade.

For a full second we stood in pause--I, with legs spread, and arched and tense, body thrown forward, right arm horizontal and straight out; Fortini, his blade beyond me so far that hilt and hand just rested lightly against my left breast, his body rigid, his eyes open and shining.
So statuesque were we for that second that I swear those about us were not immediately aware of what had happened.

Then Fortini gasped and coughed slightly.

The rigidity of his pose slackened.

The hilt and hand against my breast wavered, then the arm drooped to his side till the rapier point rested on the lawn.