by Arturo Perez-Reverte.
On the eve of Spain's september Revolution of 1868, while the regal Isabella consorts with her household cavalry and rumours and plots abound, Jaime Astarloa, master of the ancient art of fencing, conducts his life above such vulgarities. He prefers to concentrate on his modest but dignified and orderly existence as fencing teacher to the noblemen of Madrid and their sons. However Don Jaime finds his attnetion diverted by young Adela de Otero, who persuades him to take her on a a pupil. After one bout that leaves no question of her talent and skill, the master falls in love with his pupil. Erotic passion and political intrigue threaten to distract him from his quest for the perfect sword thrust, a survivor of a more gallant age, he does not fully comprehend. But if Don Jaime proves naive, her is no less resolute. It takes time for him to understand, but when he does, will he have the strength left for a duel which can only be to the death? - book cover.
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