The Bright Face of Danger Being an Account of Some Adventures of Henri de Launay, Son of the Sieur de la Tournoire

"The Bright Face of Danger" by Robert Neilson Stephens is a historical adventure that kicks off when young Henri de Launay is playfully challenged about his courage by Mlle. Celeste, leading him to make a rash vow to confront his rival, Brignan de Brignan, in Paris. Inspired by wounded pride and a desire to impress Celeste, Henri, more scholar than swordsman, sets out on a journey to perform the ridiculous task of cutting off Brignan's moustaches. This impulsive decision throws Henri into a world of danger, forcing him to test his bravery and resourcefulness in unexpected ways, as he navigates the exciting backdrop of early 17th-century France. His experiences become a path to understanding himself in a world of honor, love, and deadly peril.