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countenance glowed with excitement, but she soon sneered, “How would you know an aristocrat of that rank?”
     
    Unflappable, John continued, “On our last visit here, the Marquis de Mascarille introduced himself. His father is acquainted with our father.”
    “I do not believe it.”
    John turned to Madame Duval, who added, “I have heard of the Marquis de Mascarille , but I have never met him.”
    After Madame Duval’s statement, Laura visibly softened and inquired, “When may I meet such an aristocrat?”
    Andrew and John exchanged delighted looks and Andrew said, as he looked at Madame Duval for permission, “Perhaps we can arrange for him to call at Madame Duval’s, the day after tomorrow.”
    “He is most certainly welcome,” the matronly matchmaker answered. She then turned to Laura, Sarah, and Maria. “I will send my carriage early in the day, so we can prepare for the visit.” She then turned her attention back to the Darcy brothers and said, “I am not sure to what I owe the honor, but you sirs, are always welcome.”
    John bowed, “My brother is a much better speech maker and philosopher than myself. However, we need to excuse ourselves in order to prepare for tomorrow’s tournament.

 
     
    Chapter Five
     
    “The match goes to Lieutenant Fabry ,” shouted the announcer. A dejected Andrew Darcy sheathed his foil and came to stand in front of Sir Thomas and the English entourage. John and Maria rushed to hug their brother. Maria gushed, “You were marvelous!”
    “You always say I’m marvelous.”
    With a pat on Andrew’s back, John said, “Good show, old boy.”
    Before taking his seat, Andrew said “I wish I had parried his right thrust better. If our coach had been able to travel, I am sure he could have improved my play.”
    Sir Thomas replied, “Your moves were excellent. Your skill allowed you to make it to the third round--that is quite an accomplishment at this level of competition.”
    “We will always be proud of you,” Lady Staley said with a smile.
    Sarah hoped to give Andrew a look of encouragement, but as he sat down, his attention turned to Laura, who refused to give him eye contact.
    John continued to win in the third and fourth rounds and the group from Derbyshire eagerly awaited his championship match. John stood before them and said, “At last it has come. I am matched with Captain Wiley.” He paused for a moment and looked at Laura, “Shall I beat him?”
    She replied, “By all means. His arrogance is irksome; it will serve him well to be bested.”
    Both John and the group were silent for a few moments, reflecting on Laura’s last statement, when the announcer interrupted, “And now, the final match, between Mr. John Darcy and Captain Wiley.”
     
    The contrast in colors was striking as John Darcy, with the British-red jacket, stood next to the light blue French uniform of Captain Wiley.
    They separated, bowed, and the match was on. It soon became apparent that the struggle was one of quickness and nimbleness, on the young Mr. Darcy’s part, and that of strength and masterful moves on Captain Wiley’s part. Sarah detected a look of surprise on the French officer’s part when John eluded his well-set traps.
    As the match progressed, Sarah could see that both combatants were tiring and she worried for her cousin. She prayed silently that neither man would be injured. She noticed that Andrew sat on the edge of his seat, with his eyes glued on his brother. His hands occasionally made slight movements as though he were holding a foil and participating in the match.
    At the final break, John motioned Sir Thomas and Andrew over and asked, “What should I do?”
    Andrew replied, “Mr. Coning repeatedly said to fight with your head and not your heart. . . The French captain is overconfident and that is making you angry.”
    “I know that,” snapped a breathless John. Softening his voice he asked, “What should I do?”
    “You must remember to hold the handle