This put a stop to the duel for a few moments, when Petro, almost
beside himself with rage, now threw from him his upper garments in
imitation of Carlton, and having had his hand properly dressed, yet
smarting under the severe wound he had received, resumed his sword--
Carlton remaining in the meantime resting upon his sword, careless,
as it were, whether the fight was resumed or not.

"Signor Petro," said Carlton, when they approached each other the
second time, "it is evident to your friends, I presume, that you are
no match for me in the weapons we hold. I advise you to withdraw
from the contest. You have already expended your blood in the
vindication of this system of honor, and wounded as you now are, can
hardly do yourself justice."

"Stand to your defence!" said the enraged Petro, whose blood was now
completely up. And unheeding the generous proposal and language of
his antagonist, he rushed upon Carlton almost without warning, thus
essaying to take advantage of him; but the quick and practised eye
of the latter saved him, and the rain of blows and thrusts that
Petro made at him were as harmless as hail-stones upon a slated
roof. Carlton acted entirely on the defensive; had it been
otherwise, he could at any moment have drawn the heart's blood of
his enemy, who, only intent on the life of his successful rival,
strove not at all to protect himself from the sword of Carlton while
they fought.

Carlton again permitted him to work thus in his wild fury for some
minutes, when at length, by another masterly effort with his weapon,
he again disarmed his antagonist, throwing his blade over the heads
of the company, and immediately, apparently with the same effort, he