Page:The Monk, A Romance - Lewis (1796, 1st ed., Volume 1).djvu/59

 Either reply circumstantially to my demands, or answer me with your sword."

"The latter method will be the shortest," rejoined the other, drawing his rapier; "come on, Segnor Bravo! I am ready."

Burning with rage, Lorenzo hastened to the attack: the antagonists had already exchanged several passes, before Christoval, who at that moment had more sense than either of them, could throw himself between their weapons.

"Hold! hold! Medina!" he exclaimed; "remember the consequences of shedding blood on consecrated ground!"

The stranger immediately dropped his sword.

"Medina?" he cried. "Great God, is it possible! Lorenzo, have you quite forgotten Raymond de las Cisternas?"

Lorenzo's astonishment increased with every succeeding moment. Raymond advanced towards him; but with a look of suspicion he drew back his hand, which the other was preparing to take.

"You here, Marquis? What is the