Are you anything of a swordsman, my friend ?" "I was accounted a good enough fighter in my own village," answered Tom; "but everything here is so different.

My methods may be useless against the skill of men trained in a different school." "We will put that to the test, and that quickly," said Lord Claud; and forthwith he led his companion out of the house and through several unfamiliar streets, till he reached a building rather larger than its surrounding neighbours, into which he walked with the air of one well used to the place.
First they passed through a large hall, the floor of which was thickly sprinkled with sawdust; but, without pausing, Lord Claud mounted a staircase in the corner, and led Tom into a large upper room, the walls of which were adorned by rapiers with buttons at the end, where a man was sitting polishing the foils and humming a tune to himself.

He rose instantly upon seeing Lord Claud, and made a deep bow.
"I have come to try a bout at sword play with a friend of mine," explained the latter, stripping off his coat, and signing to Tom to do the same.

"Give us two well-matched weapons; for we have none too much time to spare measuring and comparing." Tom's blood quickened at the feel of the rapier in his hand.

He had always loved these encounters with the sword, whether in play or earnest.