"Perhaps you will not care for supper when I have--" "That may be true," he interrupted; "but before we begin I think it right to tell you, without at all meaning to boast of my skill, that I can kill you if I wish to do so.

Therefore you must see that the result of our fight will be disagreeable to you in any case.

You will die, or you will owe me your life." His cool impertinence angered me beyond endurance.

He to speak of killing me, one of the best swordsmen in France, where the art of sword-play is really an art! The English are but bunglers with a gentleman's blade, and should restrict themselves to pike and quarterstaff.
"Results be damned!" I answered.

"I can kill you if I wish." Then it occurred to me that I really did not wish to kill the handsome young fellow toward whom I felt an irresistible attraction.
I continued: "But I prefer that you should owe me your life.