"But for the rest, Bardelys, for all your fine talk of conquering women, believe me when I tell you that in all your life you have never met a woman, for I deny the claim of these Court creatures to that title.

If you would know a woman, go to Lavedan, Monsieur le Marquis.

If you would have your army of amorous wiles suffer a defeat at last, go employ it against the citadel of Roxalanne de Lavedan's heart.

If you would be humbled in your pride, betake yourself to Lavedan." "A challenge!" roared a dozen voices.

"A challenge, Bardelys!" "Mais voyons," I deprecated, with a laugh, "would you have me journey into Languedoc and play at wooing this embodiment of all the marvels of womanhood for the sake of making good my argument?
Of your charity, gentlemen, insist no further." "The never-failing excuse of the boaster," sneered Chatellerault, "when desired to make good his boast." "Monsieur conceives that I have made a boast ?" quoth I, keeping my temper.
"Your words suggested one--else I do not know the meaning of words.