Pagina 676 di 788

But General Kniaziewicz, the tallest of stature, proved to be

also the stoutest of arm. Seizing the huge blade, he swung it as

lightly as a common sword and flashed it like lightning over the

heads of the guests, recalling to their minds the tricks of the

Polish school of fencing, the cross stroke, the mill, the crooked

slash, the downright blow, the stolen slash, and the attitudes of

counterpoint212 and tierce, which he knew likewise, for he had

been trained in the School of Cadets.

While he was still laughing and fencing, Rembajlo had kneeled and

embraced him about the knees, and was groaning out between his

tears, at every turn of the sword:-