Strona 338 z 788

He chose the second; already he had swung back the bench for a

blow, like a battering-ram; already, with head bent down, breast

thrust forward, and foot uplifted, he was about to attack-when he

caught sight of the Seneschal, and felt terror in his heart.

The Seneschal, sitting quietly, with half-closed eyes, had seemed

buried in deep thought; only when the Count had bandied words

with the Chamberlain and threatened the Judge, the Seneschal had

turned his head, had twice taken a pinch of snuff and rubbed his

eyes. Although the Seneschal was only a distant relative of the

Judge, yet he was established in his hospitable house, and was

beyond measure careful about the health of his friend. Therefore

he gazed with curiosity at the combat, and slowly extended on the

table his arm, hand, and fingers; on his palm he laid a knife,

with the haft extended to the tip of the index finger, and the

point turned towards his elbow; then with his arm extended a

trifle backward he poised it as if playing with it-but he watched

the Count.