In the room, in addition to the dancing master, were the lad he was teaching, an active, healthy-looking boy between fifteen and sixteen; his partner, a bright-faced French girl of some twelve years of age; and an old man, nearer eighty than seventy, but still erect and active, who sat in a large armchair, looking on.
By the alacrity with which the lad went to an armoire and took out the foils, and steel caps with visors which served as fencing masks, it was clear that he preferred the fencing lesson to the dancing.

He threw off his coat, buttoned a padded guard across his chest, and handing a foil to his instructor, took his place before him.
"Now let us practise that thrust in tierce after the feint and disengage.

You were not quite so close as you might have been, yesterday.

Ha! ha! that is better.

I think that monsieur your grandfather has been giving you a lesson, and poaching on my manor.
Is it not so ?" "Yes," said the old man, "I gave him ten minutes yesterday evening; but I must give it up.