XLI

face,andthecuphithimontheforeheadandcuthimsothatthebloodtrickleddown.Inamomenthehaddrawnhissword,andatthesametimeIwrenchedminefromitssheath. Hecouldfightwell. Hecouldfightwell,butagainstmehewaslost.Alltherageandagonyofthelastdaygatheredthemselvestogether.Iwasliftedupandcriedaloudinthejoyofhavingsomeoneonwhomtowreakmyvengeance.IfeltasifIhadagainstmethewholeworldandwerepouringoutmyhateattheendofmysword.Myfurylentmethestrengthofadevil.Idrovehimback,Idrovehimback,andIfoughtasIhadneverfoughtbefore.InaminuteIhadbeatentheswordfromhishand,anditfelltothefloorasifhiswristwerebroken,clatteringdownamongthecups.Hestaggeredbackagainstthewall,andstoodtherewithhisheadthrownbackandhisarmshelplesslyoutspread. 'Ah,God,Ithankthee!'Icriedexultingly.'NowIamhappy.' Iliftedmyswordabovemyheadtocleavehisskull,myarmwasintheswing—whenIstopped.Isawthestaringeyes,thewhitefaceblanchedwithterrorhewasstandingagainstthewallashehadfallen,shrinkingawayinhismortalanxiety.IstoppedIcouldnotkillhim. Isheathedmyswordandsaid,— 'Go!Iwillnotkillyou.Idespiseyoutoomuch.' Hedidnotmove,butstoodasifhewereturnedtostone,stillterror-strickenandafraid.Then,inmycontempt,Itookahornofwaterandflungitoverhim. 'Youlookpale,myfriend,'Isaid.'Hereiswatertomixwithyourwine.' ThenIleantbackandburstintoashoutoflaughter,andIlaughedtillmysidesached,andIlaughedagain. Ithrewdownmoneytopayformyentertainment,andwentout.ButasIbestrodemyhorseandwerecommencedourjourneyalongthesilentroadsIfeltmyheadacheworsethanever.AllenjoymentwasgoneIcouldtakenopleasureinlife.Howlongwoulditlast?Howlong?Irodea