The two opponents remained motionless…

The two opponents remained motionless for some time, facing and watching each other with mutual vigilance. At the end, a burning flush spread over Brousselle’s cheeks, and blood seemed to spurt out of his bloodshot eyes, along with his infuriated look. At the same time, with a leap as quick as that of a starving tiger spotting a prey, he swooped on Laubespin. The count expected this furious attack, and to dodge the dagger close to sinking into his chest, he jumped to one side, and with his left hand grabbed the right arm of his opponent, with a strength doubled by the sense of impending danger. Yet, whatever the energy of this grip, Brousselle managed to escape, and raising his dagger again, perhaps would he have dealt a fatal blow to Laubespin, when the most unexpected interruption changed the course of the fight.
From the clump of cypress trees where Laure’s step-father hid a few moments earlier, M. de Roquefeuille darted suddenly forward, as timely as the god in charge of the outcome of ancient tragedies coming down his aerial machine.
 
Extract from Un beau-père (A stepfather), by C. de Bernard, published in Les Bons Romans, 1862.