He couldn't help but notice the glint in Cindy's eyes. Did she realize what an inviting look she had in her eyes, he wondered. "Perhaps I am not as obsolete as I had previously feared. It would be my pleasure to give you a demonstration, of course."

Courfeyrac was vaguely skeptical of her own skills, if only because he had never met a woman who knew how to use a sword, or who had ever even held one before. She had yet to disappoint him in terms of her capabilities, but he had no doubt in his own abilities as a swordsman. It was hard for him to consider that she might possibly be a better fencer than he was.

"And you, my dear? What would you have, if you were given the choice?"