He and his seconds wore dark blue cloaks over their uniforms, which they laid aside when they saw that Robert and his friends were present.
Nemours stepped forward and asked to speak with Captain de Galisonniere.
"Count Jean de Mezy," he said, "is an experienced swordsman, a victor in a dozen duels, a man of great skill, and he does not wish to take an advantage that might seem unfair to others.

He considers the extreme youth of his opponent, and if by chance his friend, Mr.Willet, should know the sword, he will meet him instead." It was, on the whole, a handsome offer, better than they had expected from de Mezy, and Galisonniere looked with inquiry, first at young Lennox and then at Willet.

But Robert shook his head.
"No," he said, "Captain de Mezy's offer does him credit, but I decline it.

I am his inferior in years, but his equal in stature and strength, and I have had some experience with the sword.

Mr.Willet would gladly take my place, but I can support the combat myself." Nemours stepped back, and Robert resolved that de Mezy's offer should not have been made wholly in vain.