The entire situation had been arranged and de Courcelles was one of its principals.

He had been brought into the garden that a fight might be forced upon him there.

Boucher was a bravo and undoubtedly a great swordsman.

He understood now the secret of those thick flexible wrists and of the man's insulting manner.

His blood became ice in his veins for a moment or two, but it was good for him, cooling his head and quickening his mind.