The colonel went straight to his adversary, and put himself on guard in a way that gained him an advantage.

Experts in the art of killing, know that, of two antagonists, the ablest takes the "inside of the pavement,"-- to use an expression which gives the reader a tangible idea of the effect of a good guard.

That pose, which is in some degree observant, marks so plainly a duellist of the first rank that a feeling of inferiority came into Max's soul, and produced the same disarray of powers which demoralizes a gambler when, in presence of a master or a lucky hand, he loses his self-possession and plays less well than usual.
"Ah! the lascar!" thought Max, "he's an expert; I'm lost!" He attempted a "moulinet," and twirled his sabre with the dexterity of a single-stick.

He wanted to bewilder Philippe, and strike his weapon so as to disarm him; but at the first encounter he felt that the colonel's wrist was iron, with the flexibility of a steel string.

Maxence was then forced, unfortunate fellow, to think of another move, while Philippe, whose eyes were darting gleams that were sharper than the flash of their blades, parried every attack with the coolness of a fencing-master wearing his plastron in an armory.
Between two men of the calibre of these combatants, there occurs a phenomenon very like that which takes place among the lower classes, during the terrible tussle called "the savante," which is fought with the feet, as the name implies.