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I'm looking for a book about which all I can seem to recall is a bit of clever dialogue. I suspect it's sci-fi mainly because about 70% of what I read is, but if so it's set in a historical milieu (might be medieval, might be 1800's). The scene:
Our Hero has rescued someone, maybe a child or maybe a young maiden, from danger. This has brought him to the attention of the royalty so he's introduced to Fair Maiden, the princess (that might have been whom he rescued, but for some reason I doubt it). Fair Maiden compliments him on his courage. I doubt if I have the quotes exact, but I think they're fairly close.
Our Hero: "To you I entrust my deepest secret. I didn't know it was dangerous!"
Fair Maiden: "Fie, sir! If it were me I'd prefer to hear that you would brave any danger."
Our Hero: "If it were you, Fair Maiden, no man would even think of danger."
Needless to say Our Hero is astounded by this glibness, considering himself normally tongue-tied in the presence of a Fair Maiden, and he attracts the attention of the villain, who desires Fair Maiden for himself. (There might be a political betrothal, but certainly not an emotional one-except for the villain's lust for Fair Maiden.)
At a later point, after the villain has threatened Our Hero, telling him to stay away from Fair Maiden, Our Hero ruminates that the villain has no way of knowing how unusual this glibness is-so much so that Our Hero is himself astounded by it.
I'm not sure if this is a humorous novel or not-this part of the dialog is certainly humorous, but it's possible that the reason I remember it is because it's the only humor in the entire book. Or maybe not. Anyway, does this ring a bell with anybody?
Thanx.
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