"Talking of fence, sir, give me leave to say—as one somewhat proficient in the art—that your style is a little antiquated!"
"Is't so, nephew?"
"Rat me if it isn't, sir! It lacketh that niceness of finish, that gracious poise o' the bady, that 'je ne sais quoi' which is all the mode."
"So, nephew, you fence—
"Of course, nunky, we all do—'tis the fashion. I fence a bout or so every day with the great Mancini, sir."
"So he's great these days?"
"How, d'ye know him, uncle?"
"Years ago I fenced with him in Flanders."
"Well, sir?"
"I thought him too flamboyant——"