"This confounded Gascon cannot possibly know anything about that." As if inspired by the same thought, the young duke did, at that very moment, try to put it into execution; but de Sigognac, aware of what he was preparing to do, not only prevented but anticipated him, and touched and wounded his adversary in the arm--his sword going clean through it.
The pain was so intense that the duke's fingers could no longer grasp his sword, and it fell to the ground.

The baron, with the utmost courtesy, instantly desisted, although he was entitled by the rules of the code to follow up his blow with another--for the duel does not necessarily come to an end with the first blood drawn.

He turned the point of his sword to the ground, put his left hand on his hip, and stood silently awaiting his antagonist's pleasure.

But Vallombreuse could not hold the sword which his second had picked up and presented to him, after a nod of acquiescence from de Sigognac; and he turned away to signify that he had had enough.

Whereupon, the marquis and the baron, after bowing politely to the others, set forth quietly to walk back to the town..