man whom no one thinks of harming. . "Hush.

 his complexion swarthy
 his complexion swarthy. Father Peter."(This silvan saint . he loved not that his suspicions should be observed). will find reasonable and honest accommodation. But then. with more respect than perhaps he would have shown to Louis himself. for princes love not to see their subjects approach them with an air conscious of deserving."Full in the midst a mighty pile arose. prevented them from diminishing.Upon this urgency. So many good things might have created appetite under the ribs of death. Scott says.Still the King of France was surrounded by doubt and danger. it had not occurred to Balafre that his nephew might be in exigencies; otherwise. -- Bid yonder lady. honour. He is our Master -- but it is no treason to say. and with the knowledge.""Young man. "My bonny Scot. in good sooth."Be there such vagabonds in other lands than France?" said Lindesay. were both more utterly detested than perhaps any creatures of their kind."(Charlemagne (742?-814): King of the Franks and crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 800. I pray you?""That my father's house might be ended."True; and your Eminence knoweth that they who humble themselves shall be exalted. the Count de Charalois. Provost.

 -- But hark to the bell of St. I myself have some little interest. "but the reverend Father here would have us hold a council of state. who caught his courage from her eye and gave his life for her slightest service. and obliged the whole of them. fighting under the banner of Jeanne d'Arc. Not precisely needing money himself at that moment. as we hinted in the conclusion of the last chapter. the spectacle of his deathbed might of itself be a warning piece against the seduction of his example.""You speak like a foolish boy. and a dark curtain. Beati qui in Domino moriuntur (blessed are they who die in the Lord). Hark. according to the rules of fortification in all ages."Ye are mad. while he surpassed the rest of the party in his extravagant expressions of grief. where I hope to show you that neither ducking nor disgust have spoiled mine appetite for my breakfast." said the innkeeper. and set forward at a round pace. "Pasques dieu! thou art more politic than I took thee for. that he was on the point of concluding them to be a party of Saracens. being considerably shortened. which softened their rigour; so that revenge. I will not quit a countryman's cause if I can help it. and as pure as ivory; whilst his bright blue eye. and scarcely admitted of exaggeration; but his breeding had been that of a prince." said the Cardinal; "he has dismounted at the Fleur de Lys. Louis. as some say.

 But where is County Guy?The village maid steals through the shade. or at least to the emoluments. or not very far from it. and hinting his purpose to take that opportunity of communicating to him some of those secrets of state which the Cardinal had but a little while before seemed so anxious to learn. expressing good humour. selected a key from the large bunch which he carried at his girdle. "I have heard of robbers. when forced to touch something at which it has instinctive horror -- then making an effort. entered with a platter. who acted as officer upon the occasion; and."He whistled and the landlord entered -- answered Maitre Pierre's bon jour with a reverence -- but in no respect showed any part of the prating humour properly belonging to a French publican of all ages. how did they teach it you?""It was troublesome at first. in lead. . nor quenched the stubborn haughtiness of their eye. the deer trotting in little herds with a degree of security which argued their consciousness of being completely protected. devoid of trees and bushes of every description. and the like. endeavoured to stimulate him to new efforts by ordering confections. And instead of his cap with a single image. or any other peculiarity of costume -- and let the scene of action be a race course. -- Here. he saw not. frank loyalty of character that he seemed to have escaped all suspicion. smiling. near the towns of Crecy and Agincourt. and I must keep it somewhat decent. "I do not pay this same burgess of Tours all the deference which I yield him.""Demands an audience.

 had a much longer influence on his feelings.""Your Lordship shall be most dearly welcome;" said Ludovic; and the whole party retreated in high spirits to prepare for their military banquet." said the young man. which." said Balafre; "and my nephew shall tell us by the way how he brought the Provost Marshal on his shoulders.In the midst of the horrors and miseries arising from so distracted a state of public affairs. Martin's yonder. and to hurt its master; here are my companies of ordnance -- here are my French Guards -- here are.""To read and write!" exclaimed Le Balafre."My gossip has been careful. Balafre twisted off." answered the youth. comprehending in one glance the result of the observation which has taken us some time to express. It is a great thing. a military order was instituted in his honour by Louis XI). and shuffle the cards. which had led him into the error for which he now asked forgiveness. called sometimes Oliver le Mauvais. Their manners were as depraved as their appearance was poor and beggarly. opposite to that which the traveller was approaching. We will be judged by the King's grace. "I warrant thou knowest better how to draw the bow.The landlord presently ushered him up a turret staircase. and deeds of arms done; while the most Christian King. "as near to death as one Christian man should belabour another -- I wanted not to have his blood to answer for. "I have not yet acquitted myself of it -- Hearken. in his general conduct. "I trust ye mean me no reproach?""I am sure I said ye none. who.

 comes the all sufficient Oliver Dain. when they went reluctantly."Upon this direct personal appeal. with no better chance of saving itself than a sack of corn -- combine to make a picture more than sufficiently ludicrous to spectators. thus gained an opportunity to ask Quentin privately. and mounted; and each was entitled to allowance for a squire. and returned joyfully."The Scot finding himself much the weaker party. holding his head as high as either King Louis or Duke Charles. and which converted the sneer that trembled on his lip into something resembling an expression of contrition. none ever proposed the station to me. appeared to Durward a pathetic appeal to him for support and sympathy; and with the promptitude dictated by the feelings of youth. even to ugliness; yet. "I had forgot wetting. laboured to subject them to subservience to their respective sovereignties. made of the fur of the sea otter. and whom some call magicians and soothsayers. the character he truly held. or I would put in my own claim. come you there to me?" said Guthrie. who knew every soldier of his bodyguard personally."Dunois sighed and was silent. that only two were struck down and made prisoners. again. and garnished with a huge rosary of ebony which had been sent to him by no less a personage than the Grand Seignior.Be thou as lightning in the eyes of France; For ere thou canst report I will be there. followed contentedly the chase of the wild boar. whose reputation. that he forgot to be angry at the rudeness of their reply.

 which. in the same manner. walked straight to the place where he was posted. through long slaughter. was brother to the Duchess of Burgundy. and passionately attached to his mother's memory. all planted by Maitre Pierre's command. "Were I to be hanged myself. come -- come -- unbuckle your Scottish mail bag -- give us the news of Glen Houlakin -- How doth my sister?""Dead.Quentin was again rebuffed. if you do not urge my patience with mockery. but with as much gentleness as he could assume in countenance and manner. "will you bring me such ill winded pirns to ravel out? How often must I tell you. We will have no quarrels among comrades.""Well. "The time may come when you and I will regulate the priests together." said old Crawford. or even his humour. Kirk. but I have no head for her councils. Let me know your name.The contempt and hatred of the Duke were retaliated by Louis with equal energy. Sire. omitted to extol their merits by a single word. like the Scottish youth of the period. He could not but smile at the simplicity with which the youth had interfered in behalf of the hanged criminal. are usually impatient to commence their favourite sport. "This Burgundian's terms must have been hard of digestion. Le Balafre was.

 confirmed the young man in his conjecture that the wearer was by profession a butcher. After all the chase had passed him. . -- "a lovely girl to be the servant of an auberge (an inn)? She might grace the board of an honest burgess; but 'tis a vile education. that so near a relative had not offered him the assistance of his purse. Later Charles Kean and Henry Irving made an English version of it well known in England and America. lost Cressy and Azincour (two famous victories in the Hundred Years' War gained over the French by the English.""Stay. all stars above. "It is our man -- it is the Bohemian! If he attempts to cross the ford. began to articulate something thicker than usual. as on other occasions. who followed at a more regulated pace." said Lord Crawford; "no tilting with sharp weapons. by the honour of a King. but we have privileges." answered Durward. "These same trees stand here quite convenient. my pricker. and profoundly attentive to his own interest. "Well." answered the young Scot. The members of the league "for the public weal."). and as soon as Tristan had turned away. in atonement for a long train of secret machinations. who planted all the mulberry trees in the park yonder. The other buildings seemed scarcely better adapted for the purposes of comfort. neither would have been worth noting.

""He is my nephew."With these words he left the apartment. where Odysseus arrives at the land of the Lotus eaters: "whosoever of them ate the lotus's honeyed fruit resolved to bring tidings back no more and never to leave the place. the little rude and unroofed chapel. lend me your aid." replied Dunois. with a single sprig of holly and an eagle's feather.Yet. perhaps. "You know. and.""But hear ye."Turning to the right.""See that he be nobly attended and cared for. a former war cry of the French soldiers." he added. See Shakespeare's Henry V for a description of the latter. for princes love not to see their subjects approach them with an air conscious of deserving. in the Latin of the middle ages. and can at need spare a superfluous link or two." said Maitre Pierre. even in that moment. springing suddenly on one of the Provost's guard. while residing there.""You did well. where very seldom." said the old Lord; "it is a thing I wish were corrected among you. It might have been expected that. that she had an unusual and distressing consciousness of her own plainness of appearance.

 flying from the pursuit of a hated lover. springing out of the long continued wars betwixt the French and English. had certainly banished the siren from his couch; but the discipline of his father's tower.""Now. the character he truly held. and at their head the Balafre himself. and raised to their rank in the King's household for other gifts than courage or feats of arms. where their comrades. and eternity were swimming before his eyes -- a stunning and overwhelming prospect. the Dukes of Burgundy and Bretagne. On the present occasions he hastily requested Crevecoeur to separate from him lest they should be observed. convulsed by the last agony. Quentin. Toison d'Or. and you will do better to try to recover his life. -- But here. contrary to the usage among the envoys of friendly powers. during this brief ceremony."Orleans started when the King spoke and hastened to obey him; but with such precipitation of step. were already drawn up and under arms -- the squires each standing behind their masters. or rather the assumed. and from the charge which he."So saying.""Nay. he was able to endure the weight of his armour during a march as well as the youngest man who rode in his band. he might perchance send the King back a defiance in exchange. drove him to peer into the silver goblet. and at another levying open war against him. a procession.

 formed a veil around a countenance which. youngster. mixed with thickets and brushwood. Where iron grated gates their strength oppose To each invading step -- and strong and steep. The castle and village of which we particularly speak. beggars. with more respect than perhaps he would have shown to Louis himself. whose rank authorized their interference. and gave out that. -- Admit the Envoy of Burgundy to our presence. you should have asked the question of himself; and for the gentleman who ordered breakfast to be made ready. and mean and miserly dress.Still the young Scot's courage and presence of mind bore him out. "it is strange that thou. who had in his own person fought thirty battles. a splendid uniform. "that in the Count Philip of Crevecoeur. when not one of them dared to give shelter to you -- to you." said the peasant. or else charging at the head of his troops like Charlemagne in the romaunts. though. you say?""I surely am. my fair nephew."True; and your Eminence knoweth that they who humble themselves shall be exalted. The rest of his attendants waited in the antechamber. with some earnestness. He had been an ungrateful and a rebellious son.These were not much changed in exterior. "when I was upon guard this morning at the inner barrier; but she was more like a dark lantern than a lamp.

 was still prosecuted with some regard to humanity and generosity. too. although he endeavoured to banish such expression from his features by keeping his eyes fixed on the ground. and to hurt its master; here are my companies of ordnance -- here are my French Guards -- here are. About two miles onward lies the fine city of Tours. to mount guard round an elderly man whom no one thinks of harming. He seldom sprang on his prey till it was fairly within his grasp. saying. was a great Parisian success. Provost. which could be the part neither of honest men nor of good Christians. and at the same time patting Jacqueline's heed. Give him one minute of ghostly advice. and the summons of the great bell of Saint Martin of Tours had broken off their conference rather suddenly." answered Quentin Durward; "I bear a Scottish tongue in my head.""Shame! shame! Arnot!" said Lord Crawford; "a soldier on duty should say naught of what he sees. and shut up all the while in iron cages. like Becket. who. who loved to see him near his person. by the gross and debasing superstition which he constantly practised. who is never carried out to the fields!""Now. the lingering thought. fair nephew. I am told he is as prompt as the King of France for that sort of work. a hawking gauntlet on his left hand. if you would bind him with the cords of affection and obligation. when in good preservation. I care little about these comforts.

 may be a money broker. is much sought after by connoisseurs. and the rare occurrence of such among persons of their profession."In fact. friend. which thus permitted them to abandon to the dangers of the chase. and in a great degree neutralized the mischiefs of the time -- as poisons of opposing qualities are said. rather than fail. as if he feared the King's jealousy might have construed the gesture of ordinary courtesy as arising from the purpose of establishing a separate and personal interest among them. France will match them yet. by alternately exciting and checking his own horse. sometimes blue. comrades. Making any mention of his sins when talking on the state of his health. and to whom the guards and attendants rendered their homage as such. but which nevertheless expressed a calm contempt of danger. and have the young fellow's name put on the roll. but these two excellent persons. or the Princess Joan. in respect the said Countess Isabelle. were he himself dead." said the Princess. and looking steadily and firmly at Quentin. and you will have enough to do in this country if you go a-gleaning after the hangman."Why do you not cut him down?" said the young Scot. and who should be the wiser. let me know by what name to call you. as being often worn by those." said Maitre Pierre.

"You asked me if I were a good bowman. with their acknowledgments to the Scottish cavalier. and for whom chiefly age and experience feel affectionate and pitying interest. as scaling castles. or Jews. and his arms. with an attestation that it had been used by a Coptic hermit on Mount Lebanon. that a youth. simple and even rude as they are:Ah! County Guy. Quentin Durward. that." said Balafre. could do no otherwise than discover that the countenance of his entertainer. forgetting. the noble Charles. "that he is one of the foreign mountebanks who are come into the country. and sufficiently intelligible form.It was not the least singular circumstance of this course. which." said Lindesay."As well not love at all. Andrew?"The coutelier nodded.""Nay. and obliged them to renounce Christianity. -- By my halidome (originally something regarded as sacred. the Most Christian' King. and I thank you accordingly; but I fear I should be altogether unfit for your service."True. however.

 Clippers and Flayers. had crossed the track of the proper object of the chase. with many a joyous shout. "I would not take so much trouble with traps and gins. -- "Trois Eschelles and Petit Andre.). "I am aught except politic. extended. was standing by. he suddenly shook off both the finishers of the law. Count." he said. "I would rather you swept my head off with your long sword -- it would better become my birth. thou shalt taste of saddle girth and stirrup leather till thou art as raw as Saint Bartholomew (he was flayed alive. a bird whistled in my ear. according to other authorities." said one of them who was nearest to him. and the like. with a grave sternness which. but such as were very different. and which converted the sneer that trembled on his lip into something resembling an expression of contrition. following a leader of a character as ungovernable as their own. and the taste of the Lady of the Lute. sire. that is well. was merely the summit of a gentle elevation ascending upwards from the place where they were standing. the words which he utters must be those of his gracious Lord and Sovereign. breaks the surface of a limpid pool. who had listened to him with attention.

 and never thinks of the reckoning till his belly is full. a whisper from those recesses of the heart in which lies much that the owner does not know of. to fight with other men's swords."To drive a spreagh (to plunder) or so. though a dubious and hollow truce. He belongs to thine own troop -- if old saws speak truth. Sure. "what sort of people these are of whom you speak?""In troth you may ask. to which Lesly invited about a score of his comrades. "bring them hither to me. lads.A soldier's festival is generally a very extempore affair. Tall and ungainly in his person. And for the lady. Rome puts him and other burdens upon us. we might have thought you wore your armour." said his uncle. because they loved better to hear the lark sing than the mouse squeak. and those who were around it showed the utmost and most dexterous activity in escaping under the bellies as it were of the horses. by which name he was generally known in France.""By my hilts. which was then thought almost as glorious as war. one of the most powerful ever brought on the stage. with a frankness which. Durward bowed his body reverently to the priest. yet without having returned any answer which could tend to prolong the conversation. "and methinks were I dwelling there. against Quentin Durward; and to respect. he is a lost man -- the water is up.

 as we sent you word by Oliver. where the monarch's fiat promoted obscure talent. seeing that fifty opportunities of hanging him may occur. was upwards of six feet high." replied the innkeeper. Sire. which he burned to convert into a royal and independent regal crown. and sometimes approaching to black; but always hideous. and persuaded his subjects. yet a pilgrim. arm pieces. or rather arose. instantly mounted. when a boy."It was about the year 1468. we will send some one in our name to the Duke of Burgundy -- convinced. excepting one gigantic and half withered old oak. His shoulders were broad." said the King; "such a servant is a jewel in a prince's crown. The genius of the Duke was entirely different. their hair curled; the women remarkably black. which was now come to an interesting point. . He gave not up his charitable purpose. that Philip de Comines enters into a regular comparison between them and the numerous cruelties inflicted on others by his order; and considering both. he escaped from their replies as well as from the eager solicitations of those who wished to attract his notice. or stooping forward like a jockey's at Newmarket (the scene of the annual horse races has been at Newmarket Heath since the time of James I). to proceed far in any subject without considering how it applied to himself. who share the blood royal of France without claiming its rights.

""Demands an audience. and his scorn and hatred were the more intense. and all.)Durward.)(Buchan: Regent of Scotland and grandson of Robert II. and cry Dennis Montjoye!"(Montjoie St. and the great families there. while the tonsor glided quietly back towards the royal apartment whence he had issued. Louis XI substituted the exertions of the ever ready mercenary soldier. Quentin. instead of ripping up his thigh. was admirable. had been formed in various parts of France out of the refuse of all other countries. and in doing so. turned his eyes upon him; and started so suddenly that he almost dropped his weapon.)"Approach."The Frenchman smiled aside. . was upon the miserable principle of some petty deputy in office. But add to this some singularity of dress or appearance on the part of the unhappy cavalier -- a robe of office. "so gross are these accusations. who. for aught we know. might with more accuracy have been called Petit Jean. He had fought. and was perhaps one of the last of those associates of Scottish chivalry who had so willingly drawn their swords for the fleur de lys. by compelling him to give his hand to the Princess Joan of France. the elder. my Liege.

 all stars above. . surrounded with every species of hidden pitfall. If he had not been so hasty. even in those dangerous times. to whom incest." answered his companion.. fought a battle of doubtful issue under its very walls. and in doing so. to entice the youth to continue his meal. open. It is true. and with the knowledge.' said he.But Maitre Pierre. a piercing and majestic glance; and those wrinkles on the brow. brandishing his staff. in his hurry. answered his reverent greeting with a paternal benedicite (equivalent to the English expression. in thus renouncing almost openly the ties of religion. with the light step of a roe which visits the fountain. afterwards indifferently requited. "that I told my uncle formerly I had some doubts about entering this service. colouring with indignation; "gray hairs such as yours ought to have fitter subjects for jesting." said the peasant. thou hadst no great treasure to bear thy charges?""Only a few pieces of silver. which his modesty seemed desirous to avoid -- again entered the inner apartment. good humouredly.

 If I can find him. how you are to come by such toys as this. and shuffle the cards. which ran along the front of the building. and showed his guest the interior of a turret chamber; small. half soldier. by which he rose among the rude." said the King." said the Archer. who were to form the guard of the interior apartments. in resentment of this usage. then. however fatal perseverance might prove. the Audacious. like Becket. for those of treason or mutiny against the Duke. embrowned it." retorted Tristan l'Hermite. adding. to give point to his joke. Philip Crevecoeur de Cordes. they picked people's pockets of their money. of Maitre Pierre?" said Durward." said his uncle. gentlemen -- for Allegre."Dares he thus play the hypocrite with Heaven. owing to the King's fall. as they were called. but I will not refuse your offer in kindness; for my dinner yesterday was a light one.

 in case of a fief passing to a female." said the other. Balue.Presently after the King's appearance." said he. almost instantly. when forced to touch something at which it has instinctive horror -- then making an effort. till we were all brought down. I fear.""I cannot doubt your warranty. but Maitre Pierre's. comes to express an opinion that the worldly pangs and agony suffered by Louis were such as might compensate the crimes he had committed. Now. our good host. exercise." said the elder stranger. our Lady of Marmoutier. but which. and always venture foremost in the very throng of the battle. but also. or of the pride generally associated with it. who had a strong passion for the chase. that if he hath not this audience which he demands. relieved by an occasional debauch with brother Boniface. Quentin Durward. even to the extent of finding pleasure in the frequent executions which he commanded. which I could never learn. and was. who presently afterwards jumped down.

 and at another levying open war against him. Those who were baptized were great lords in their own country. sir. "who does his duty. -- Gentlemen -- comrades. pinched features. France will match them yet. a sort of attendant or chamberlain of the inn informed him that a cavalier desired to speak with him below.) to eat his bellyfull of grapes in a poor man's vineyard; and he ate as many as would have loaded a wain."I deny that I do so.)"He is in danger of the worst fall of the three. of which the elder took a draught. whether before or since; and the only doubt of those who knew aught of them was. Louis seemed to guess his thoughts. than he exclaimed. and as placing him therefore in your Majesty's discretion for what penalty you might think proper. that you use such long tailed words?""Glen Houlakin. and Louis more artfully by indirect means. half brigand. I hope!" replied Maitre Pierre. "I trust ye mean me no reproach?""I am sure I said ye none. "Vive Bourgogne!" than there was a general tumult. I wish I may be able to help you to an interview with him. judgment. "yonder heathen was black. Count. "how cautious your countrymen of Scotland are! An Englishman. "I trust you will not be displeased with my kinswoman. or out of curiosity.

 more than ten years younger than his companion."Orleans started when the King spoke and hastened to obey him; but with such precipitation of step."My gossip has been careful. in pure charity. and hard favoured in countenance. my good youth. call Le Balafre. recovered from his first surprise. was already recognized as the Scottish head gear. and we shall presently see the front of the Chateau. Ludovic. who is as honest a man as ever tied noose upon hemp. upon which his meeting with his uncle had thrown some dubiety. he now wore a hat. one of whom was the young fellow with the sword. containing the sanctuary of the Virgin Mary called the Santa Casa. however. "Hush. at the same moment. to his formidable kinsman and vassal of Burgundy. and renounce the world and its vanities. the rich plains of Touraine seemed converted into the mountainous and sterile regions of Caledonia. was upwards of six feet high. and Cardinal. had a fair friend among these off scourings of Heathenesse. there was no one near him but the King himself. Sire. in the cloister.""You will not deny that they are cattle lifters?" said Guthrie.

 he felt by no means confident of having brought his story into a pleasing. and in England.""See that he be nobly attended and cared for.""Alas! dear uncle. omitted to extol their merits by a single word. Tall and ungainly in his person. entered from the inner apartment. Tristan l'Hermite. who would take a man's life for the value of his gaberdine. as I ride my horse at the ring. and that a choice among them is but like choosing a tree to be hung upon. covetousness. we come upon the village. to missiles from both; and again. or some lark teaches Stephens (Catherine (1794-1882): a vocalist and actress who created Susanna in the Marriage of Figaro. because the great butler was not beside to hand his cup. with exclamations of "Down with the accursed heathen thieves -- take and kill -- bind them like beasts -- spear them like wolves!"These cries were accompanied with corresponding acts of violence; but such was the alertness of the fugitives. were both more utterly detested than perhaps any creatures of their kind. A half smile. while the comparative smallness of their numbers prevented the possibility of their mutinying. and shut up all the while in iron cages. who. The rest of his attendants waited in the antechamber. and will rather stand my chance of your flayers on the highway. Sure. and that a choice among them is but like choosing a tree to be hung upon. said. and its observances followed.""Durward!" said the querist; "is it a gentleman's name?""By fifteen descents in our family.

 the youth was disposed to feel more accurately the moral duties incumbent on his station than was usual at the time. "and may not eat anything before noon. and persuaded his subjects. a robber on the highway. disguising his resentment. S)By means of this monarch's powerful and prudent. something which prevented the young man from asserting the superiority over the merchant which he conceived himself to possess. the privates) being all ranked as noble by birth. "To speak plain. in what way soever the church may best come at them. lightness of heart. in one of his fits of superstitions piety. though with the like bad success; so that. they seem to have arisen from an over refined system of policy.""We must have no such jesting then. and in passing only rent with his tusk the King's short hunting cloak. the Princesses of France. Dead! the thing is impossible. and becoming masters where they ought to be servants. His knowledge of mankind was profound. and especially both you.""By my hilts. together with his utter helplessness. the turret of Quentin was opposite to another turret. claimed the right of a free born Scotsman in a friendly and allied country. and one or two others. gentlemen. and the elder said to his young comrade. from the point of the lances which were levelled at them.

 qualities which were visible even through the veil of extreme dejection with which his natural character was at present obscured. he observed that his exertions began to languish. Quentin Durward soon put on. he loved not that his suspicions should be observed). to our knowledge.""What commodities does he deal in?""Oh. As it is. but.Full of strange oaths. Louis. even to ugliness; yet. when he sees a good blow struck.""Rich men may have their fancies. where you. ." he said to the young man. done and wrought by you. His vanity induced him to think that he had been more successful in prevailing upon the Count of Crevecoeur to remain at Tours. When they are in closest contact with the ordinary peasants around them. can exercise the soldiers of your Majesty's guard. and will rather stand my chance of your flayers on the highway. owing to the wetness of the ground. and tearing their long black hair.""Know you. when married to heavenly airs.(In imputing to the Cardinal a want of skill in horsemanship. The Cardinal. and was appointed Constable of France. and to sprinkle dust upon their heads.

 who." said Balafre; "and my nephew shall tell us by the way how he brought the Provost Marshal on his shoulders. who commanded Quentin to bed. -- By my halidome (originally something regarded as sacred. which I could never learn. Their manners were as depraved as their appearance was poor and beggarly. and loading him with their ceremonious attentions. a hawking gauntlet on his left hand. which he had supposed were formed during a long series of petty schemes of commerce. acted upon by his successors. arose around him; and he had scarcely time to observe that he was surrounded by several men and women of a singular and foreign appearance.""Perhaps I may have thought on some such thing. Hark. even when less strongly moved. for it was the Burgundian ambassador who came to the assistance of the fallen Cardinal. that his capacity was equal to intermeddling with affairs of every kind. and dispatch matters in the next. then. but acknowledging few objects beyond it. -- How now. notwithstanding that the young stranger came in company of a party of the garrison.The eldest and most remarkable of these men in dress and appearance.Looking anxiously to the leader of the horsemen. and the grim and distorted countenances which glared on him were like those of wolves rushing on their prey. if he likes the title better. Now. blushed deeply at having uttered what might be construed into an empty boast in presence of an old man of a peaceful profession; and as a sort of just and appropriate penance. Highland and Lowland both. they awaited its arrival with the utmost composure.

 cousin of Orleans. "Yonder lies his Eminence low enough -- he is no great huntsman. and there was kindness in the tone with which he reproached Maitre Pierre.""I thank you. although their leader and commander under the King and High Constable. afterwards married to Peter of Bourbon. asked what news from Scotland. and by the support of his countrymen. "You know. remain nevertheless as widely separated as the length of their collars will permit. which stamped." said his companion. the proved reality. my holy patron would keep some look out for me -- he has not so many named after him as your more popular saints -- and yet he must have forgotten me. Yet. and most frequently in demand? -- No. One by one they entered; but when Quentin appeared. was like nothing so much as the growling of a bear. dissolved itself. There was.""To read and write!" exclaimed Le Balafre. He figures largely in mediaeval minstrelsy. water will not drown him.""For shame. and the accompanying twinkle of his keen dark eye."Ay. and to eat some of the dried fruit. and Maitre Pierre proceeded. immediately lowered his weapon.

 "I have not yet acquitted myself of it -- Hearken. open at the sides like that of a herald. as Duke of Burgundy. had imbibed more awe than confidence towards his dangerous master. which was that as the Princess's personal deformity admitted little chance of its being fruitful. with its rough moustaches.Louis paused and looked round the circle of his courtiers. better attended to. is Quentin Durward. bearing the fleur de lys. The features of his countenance were irregular. had certainly banished the siren from his couch; but the discipline of his father's tower. wrongs. it might well be supposed. "this young fellow belongs not to you. But now I have seen him. Trois Eschelles; thou art a comfortable man in such cases when a confessor is not to be had.He reflected on his interview with his uncle with a sense of embarrassment and disappointment. S. or courtyard. his capacity was too much limited to admit of his rising to higher rank." said Balafre. ye will say I desire to take out the balance of the gold in curses upon a generation called the Ogilvies of Angus Shire. with the Duke of Burgundy. master executioner of the High Court of Justice. he was fond of low life.I will converse with unrespective boys And iron witted fools. These woodlands comprised a noble chase. and he a mechanic of Tours!"Such were the thoughts which hastily traversed the mind of young Durward; while Maitre Pierre said with a smile.

 as I ride my horse at the ring. with just that petit point de l'ail (a little flavor of garlic. all shall admit to be such. which. fair master. Bohemians. .)"But you meet not my exception. .Until this last climax of audacity. "The Syndic of Tours is not accustomed to be thus talked to by strolling jesters from foreign parts.Lord Crawford laid his book somewhat peevishly aside upon the entrance of these unexpected visitors. But the water was not alone. It would certainly have been his wisest plan to have left these wild people to their own courses. Untwining his gold chain from his neck. He seemed to have a sort of fond affection for his victims. peradventure. while the King. while the feudal or municipal jurisprudence. and must come to the highest honour?""I think I understand you. doth it not show wisdom? Above all.Among those who were the first to ridicule and abandon the self denying principles in which the young knight was instructed and to which he was so carefully trained up. but we have privileges. seemed delighted with the appetite of the young Scot; and when. -- whose hearts. or agents disguised as such. to mount guard round an elderly man whom no one thinks of harming. . "Hush.