Міжзірковий мандрівник
Chapter 11
Forafullsecondwestoodinpause—I,withlegsspread,andarchedandtense,bodythrownforward,rightarmhorizontalandstraightout;Fortini,hisbladebeyondmesofarthathiltandhandjustrestedlightlyagainstmyleftbreast,hisbodyrigid,hiseyesopenandshining.
SostatuesquewereweforthatsecondthatIswearthoseaboutuswerenotimmediatelyawareofwhathadhappened.ThenFortinigaspedandcoughedslightly.Therigidityofhisposeslackened.Thehiltandhandagainstmybreastwavered,thenthearmdroopedtohissidetilltherapierpointrestedonthelawn.BythistimePasquinianddeGoncourthadsprungtohimandhewassinkingintotheirarms.Infaith,itwasharderformetowithdrawthesteelthantodriveitin.Hisfleshclungaboutitasifjealoustoletitdepart.Oh,believeme,itrequiredadistinctphysicalefforttogetclearofwhatIhaddone.
Butthepangofthewithdrawalmusthavestunghimbacktolifeandpurpose,forheshookoffhisfriends,straightenedhimself,andliftedhisrapierintoposition.I,too,tookposition,marvellingthatitwaspossibleIhadspittedhimheart-highandyetmissedanyvitalspot.Then,andbeforehisfriendscouldcatchhim,hislegscrumpledunderhimandhewentheavilytograss.Theylaidhimonhisback,buthewasalreadydead,hisfaceghastlystillunderthemoon,hisrighthandstilla-clutchoftherapier.
Yes;itisindeedamarvellouseasythingtokillaman.
