may not be the hero he is
vaunted, but I shall mistrust his praises from that quarter, till I find
their truth confirmed."

"He has, to be sure, acquired the character of a stout swords-man," said
the Bernardin, "to give the poor devil his due."

"He has not met with his match at the _salle-d'armes_, though he has
crossed blades with the first in France," replied Ogilvy.

"I have seen him at the Manege," said the Sorbonist, "go through his
course of equitation, and being a not altogether unskillful horseman
myself, I can report favorably of his performance."

"There is none among your youth can sit a steed like him," returned
Ogilvy, "nor can any of the jousters carry off the ring with more
certainty at the lists. I would fain hold my tongue, but you enforce me
to speak in his praise."

"Body of Bacchus!" exclaimed the Spaniard, half unsheathing the lengthy
weapon that hung by his side, "I will hold you a wager of ten
rose-nobles to as many silver reals of Spain, that with this stanch
Toledo I will overcome your vaunted Crichton in close fight in any
manner or practice of fence or digladiation which he may appoint--sword
and dagger, or sword only--stripped to the girdle or armed to the
teeth. By our Saint Trinidad! I will have satisfaction for the
contumelious affront he hath put upon the very learned gymnasium to
which I belong; and it would gladden me to clip the wings of this
loud-crowing cock, or any of his dunghill crew," added he, with a
scornful gesture at the Scotsman.

"If that be all you seek, you shall not need to go far in your quest,"
returned Ogilvy. "Tarry till this controversy be ended, and if I match
not your Spanish blade with a Scottish broad-sword, and approve you as
recreant at heart as you are boastful and injurious of speech, may Saint
Andrew forever after withhold from me his protection."

"The Devil!" exclaimed the Spaniard. "Thy Scottish saint will little
avail thee, since thou hast incurred my indignation. Betake thee,
therefore, to thy paternosters, if thou has grace withal to mutter them;
for within the hour thou art assuredly food for the kites of the
Pre-aux-Clercs--sa-ha!"

"Look to thyself, vile braggart!" rejoined Ogilvy, scornfully: "I
promise thee thou shalt need other intercession than thine own to
purchase safety at my hands."

"Courage, Master Ogilvy," said the Englishman, "thou wilt do well to
slit the ears of this Spanish swashbuckler. I warrant me he hides a
craven