do so with the necessary adroitness - nor is overmuch demanded -
the battle is won with ease, and she surrenders. Believe me,
Chatellerault, I am a younger man than you by full five years, yet
in experience I am a generation older, and I talk of what I know."

He sneered heavily. "If to have begun your career of dalliance at
the age of eighteen with an amour that resulted in a scandal be
your title to experience, I agree," said he. "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.