Chapter 21 Sword Play

Lady Basira insisted that Hegwin should give her instruction in “fencing;” he did not refuse, though he delayed for some days. He preferred Corinna; still, he liked Basira greatly, so difficult was it, in fact, not to like her.

A certain morning the first lesson began, mainly because of Basira's boasting and her assurances that she knew that art by no means badly, and that no common person could stand before her. “An old soldier taught me,” said she; “there is no lack of these among us; it is known too that there are no swordsmen superior to ours. It is a question if even you, gentlemen, would not find your equals.”

“Of what are you talking?” asked Zastar.

“We have no equals in the whole world.”

“I should wish it to come out that even I am your equal. I do not expect it, but I should like it.”

“If it were firing from pistols, I too would make a trial,” said Lady Mak