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The six sisters of the valleys : an historical romance - University Library

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256 THE SIX SISTERS OF THE VALLEYS.<br />

<strong>the</strong> Marquis made a thrust at E chard. <strong>The</strong><br />

blow would have proved fatal had not<br />

Echard parried it, but its point grazed his<br />

face, <strong>an</strong>d caused <strong>the</strong> blood to trickle down<br />

his cheek. Echard' s passion was <strong>the</strong>n<br />

aroused; <strong>an</strong>d, forgetful <strong>of</strong> all d<strong>an</strong>ger, he<br />

flew at Pi<strong>an</strong>esse with <strong>the</strong> intention <strong>of</strong> dis-<br />

arming him <strong>an</strong>d <strong>of</strong> liberating <strong>the</strong> captive.<br />

" Do you dare to strike <strong>an</strong> innocent<br />

m<strong>an</strong> with your sword ?—I'll wrest it from<br />

you, that I may cut <strong>the</strong> cords that bind<br />

your victim to yon rack."<br />

Springing upon Pi<strong>an</strong>esse, he dragged<br />

him to <strong>the</strong> ground, <strong>an</strong>d endeavoured to<br />

wrench <strong>the</strong> drawn sword out <strong>of</strong> his h<strong>an</strong>d,<br />

but Echard was wounded in <strong>the</strong> effort.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Marquis was, however, obliged to drop<br />

<strong>the</strong> sword to defend himself from <strong>the</strong> h<strong>an</strong>d-<br />

to-h<strong>an</strong>d grasp <strong>of</strong> his assail<strong>an</strong>t. <strong>The</strong> terri-<br />

fied ecclesiastics fled to <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

chamber, <strong>an</strong>d looked on in speechless fear.<br />

<strong>The</strong> combat<strong>an</strong>ts struggle ; <strong>the</strong>ir eyes<br />

start from <strong>the</strong>ir sockets, <strong>the</strong>ir hair becomes

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