[igorsk]

Originally Posted by calvin-c

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.

Not exactly as you described, but it certainly reminded me of this scene:

He pushed through between two bony dowagers just rising from creaky curtseys and smiled at the girl as she turned inquiringly toward him.
"Hi," Lafayette said, looking her over admiringly. "They told me you were beautiful, but that was the understatement of the year. I didn't know I could imagine anything this nice."
A big young man with curly dark hair and cigarette-ad features stepped forward, flexing Herculean shoulders that threatened to burst his royal blue gold-braid-looped tunic. He inclined his head to the princess, then turned to give O'Leary a warning look.
"Withdraw, bumpkin," he said in a low voice.
O'Leary waved a hand. "Go play with your blocks." He started around the man, who took a quick step to bar his way.
"Are you deaf, oaf?" he rapped.
"No, I'm Lafayette O'Leary, and if you don't mind, I'd like to—"
The young Hercules put a finger against O'Leary's chest. "Begone!" he hissed fiercely.
"Now, now, no rough stuff in front of the princess," O'Leary admonished, brushing the hand aside.
"Count Alain," a cool feminine voice said. Both men turned. Princess Adoranne smiled an intimate little smile at the count and turned to Lafayette.
"This must be the brave man who's come to rid us of the dragon." She tugged at the leash as the tiger cub came snuffling around O'Leary's ankles. "Welcome to Artesia."
"Thanks." Lafayette nudged the count aside. "I didn't exactly come here to kill dragons, but since I'm here, I don't mind helping out."
"Have you slain many dragons, Sir Lafayette?" She smiled at him coolly.
"Nope, never even saw one." He winked. "Did you?"
"Adoranne's lips were parted in an expression of mild surprise. "No," she admitted. "There is but one, of course—the beast of the rebel Lod."
"I'll bring you his left ear—if dragons have ears."
The princess blushed prettily.
"Fellow, you're overbold," Alain snapped.
"If I'm going to go dragon hunting, that's a characteristic I've been advised to cultivate." Lafayette moved closer to the princess. "You know, Adoranne, I really should have demanded half the kingdom and your hand in marriage."
Count Alain's hand spun O'Leary around; his fist hovered under Lafayette's nose.
"I've warned you for the last time."
Lafayette disengaged his arm. "I sincerely hope so. By the way, isn't there a little matter you wanted to attend to?" Lafayette envisioned an urgent physiological need.
Count Alain looked uncomfortable. "Your pardon, Highness," he said in a strained voice. He turned hastily and hurried toward an inconspicuous door.

Available from Baen, DRM-free in multiple formats.
If you liked it, you will also like Keith Laumer's The Lighter Side and Retief!. The rest of his books are generall more serious but still highly recommended. My favorite is probably Dinosaur Beach from the collection Odyssey (free!).