The first few passes showed him that in this lad he had found an opponent of no ordinary character, and that all his skill would be needed to obtain a victory over him.
For the first few minutes each fought cautiously, feeling each other's strength rather than attempting to attack seriously.

Then the master dropped his point.
"Ma foi! Young sir, you have done monsieur le colonel and my compatriot justice.

I offer you my congratulations." "They are premature, sir," Rupert said, smiling; "you have not as yet begun." The silence in the school was even more profound when the swords again crossed than it had been when the bout began, for wonder had now taken the place of amused curiosity.

The struggle now commenced in earnest.

Several times at first Rupert narrowly escaped being touched, for the master's play was new to him.