Mr.Pincornet, chin in air and with his hand where once a sword had been, tiptoed upon the fringe of the crowd.

The clamour went on.

"Is it a challenge ?--was a blow struck ?--Mr.Cary, command me--Mr.
Rand--" Cary and Rand, standing opposed, three feet of bare floor between them, looked fixedly at each other.

Both were pale, both breathing heavily, but for both the unthinking moment had passed.

Reflection had come and was standing there between them.