You both behaved like brave gentlemen and good swordsmen.
I expected no less from you, Francois; but I was surprised to find your English cousin so skilled with his weapon." "He is a better swordsman than I am," Francois said; "which is a shame to me, since he is two years my junior." "Is he indeed!" the Count said in surprise.

"I had taken him to be at least your equal in years.

Let me think, you are but eighteen and some months ?" "But a month over eighteen," Francois said, "and Philip has but just passed sixteen." "You will make a doughty warrior when you attain your full strength, Philip.

I saw you put aside a thrust from an officer in the melee, and strike him from his horse with a backhanded cut with your sword, dealt with a vigour that left nothing to be desired." "I know that I am too fond of using the edge, sir," Philip said, modestly.

"My English masters taught me to do so and, although my French instructors at home were always impressing upon me that the point was more deadly than the edge, I cannot break myself altogether from the habit." "There is no need to do so," the Count said.