The Count de Grande-Pre and the Broken Sword

The Count de Grande-Pre was one of the most courteous and gracious gentleman ever seen at the French Court, and withal as brave and gallant as the good sword he wore; but this did not save him from a quarrel with a certain M. de Givry. When they meet to settle the affair, fortune deserts Givry, whose sword breaks in half; but he concerns himself so little about it that he continues to fight. The count lowers his point and says: "Get another sword; mine cannot touch you with such an advantage." But this courtesy Givry will not accept and calls out to him: "No, I mean to kill you nicely with this stump." The Count refuses to attack him and after a little persuasion they are brought to an understanding and become friend again.

Charles E. Bonawitz IV
Lord Otto Vustmann
otto@bga.com