Bardelys the Magnificent by Rafael Sabatini Historical Fiction

<p><strong>It was an unlikely romance -- it started as a challenge from one of her scorned suitors: she was a woman said the scorned one who not even Bardelys the Magnificent could woo.</strong> Bardelys (called Magnificent for the fine quality of his hospoitality) tried to demur. It was madness plain and simple. But them the rustic Gascon pointed out that it had become a matter of honor and then there was no hope for it. All bad enoough -- and then the French Revolution intervened! O tempore! O more!</p>