Johnston McCulley

“ Don Carlos thought that such a course would prove disastrous for a man who did not practice with the blade and knew little of fighting, but he refrained from saying so. A gentleman never intruded his own thoughts at such a time. Even if a caballero went to his death, it was all right so long as he believed he was doing the proper thing, and died as a caballero should.
So Don Diego went from the house and walked slowly up the hill towards the presidio building. Captain Ramón observed his approach, and wondered at it, and snarled at the thought of coming to combat with such a man. ”

“ Don Carlos and his wife hurried across the room and sat down beside Don Diego.
"I fear you do not understand women, my friend," Don Carlos said. "Never must you take a woman's answer for the last. She always may change her mind. A woman likes to keep a man dangling, likes to make him blow cold with fear and hot with anticipation. ”

“ Were you a proper man, Don Diego, you would go to the presidio, you would call this Captain Ramón to account, you would pass your sword through his body and call upon all to witness that a man could not insult the señorita you admired and escape the consequences."
"It is such an exertion to fight," he said. "Let us not speak of violence. ”