My father is but a small proprietor and, up to the time I left England, I have been but a schoolboy." "If all your schoolboys understand the use of their arms as you do," Maitre Charles said courteously, "it is no wonder that the English are terrible fighters." "I do not say that," Philip said, smiling.

"I have had the advantage of the best teaching, both English and French, to be had at Canterbury; and it would be a shame for me, indeed, if I had not learnt to defend myself." A servant now entered, and said that the countess desired their presence, and they at once went to the apartment where the sisters were talking.
"What do you think, mother ?" Francois said.

"This cousin of mine, whom I had intended to patronize, turns out to be already a better swordsman than I am." "Not better, madame," Philip said hastily.

"We were a fair match, neither having touched the other." "Philip is too modest, mother," Francois laughed.

"Maitre Charles stopped us in time to save me from defeat.