Her Reputation by Talbot Mundy

Cervanez had to leave Dad to lower the curtain; but then Dad had Ramon on his hands as well as her, and Ramon was belligerent. His self-esteem was stirred by having saved the day; he felt like a brave man who has fought in the trenches, and returns to find treason at the rear. His right hand went naturally to the dagger-hilt projecting from the sash at his waist; and as Cervanez poured her tale of woe into his ear he began to stalk Dad Lawrence, working around in a strategic semicircle toward the far side of the door, with the obvious intention of rushing Dad and forcing him away from it toward the stage.

And Dad was no matador -- no duelist -- not even skillful with his fists. He faced the enemy, but gave ground, retreating step by step, his eyes on Ramon's. And the farther Dad retreated, the worse Ramon's eyes glittered, and the more Cervanez egged him on to "teach that thief a lesson! " Cervanez was in a mood to see blood. But Ramon was not quite keyed to the point of taking that tremendous risk; he faced about suddenly, with a movement as graceful as a matador's avoiding a bull, and disappeared through the door leading upstairs.