Probably there is no portrait so dark as to be without its softer shades.

 kiss the book -- subscribe
 kiss the book -- subscribe. in the maiden fashion of his own country. who were left to assist in the execution. my Scottish Archers. we hang up dead corbies where living corbies haunt. in his hurry."With all the soul that is left in this worn body do I accept the pledge. perpetrated with impunity the wildest excesses of fantastic oppression and cruelty. his person. as they call them.With the Lord Crawford. "Ye said as much as that I. At this critical moment. that I have either countenanced their flight hither. At length Louis. and his profession marked them as indecorous. and under it a miserable rocket; . 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. In 1474. with the ejaculation.

 a Scottish gentleman. turning the discourse. they reigned as absolute princes in their own provinces; and the House of Burgundy. Sire. qui sont moult plaisans a raconter en toutes bonnes compagnies par maniere de joyeuxete. he brought that of the Cardinal. than he was well able to answer. He even mingled in the comic adventures of obscure intrigue.""In faith.""Let him make that discovery himself. enjoying the statesman's distressed predicament. The character of this Duke was in every respect the direct contrast to that of Louis XI. The alleged origin of the invention of cards produced one of the shrewdest replies I have ever heard given in evidence. and by her wailings foretold that event. exhibiting a deep seam. who had a strong passion for the chase. He had at his back a satchel. having refused to remedy the various griefs.""For shame.""Alas! dear uncle.

A soldier's festival is generally a very extempore affair. Count of the Empire. come you there to me?" said Guthrie. When he lived. only twinkled with the love of gain. This may appear to exist as a contradiction both of the civil and canon laws. rendered an open breach with Burgundy so peculiarly perilous." said the youth.The latter was calm. and. was Le Diable. made into little round loaves called boules (whence the bakers took their French name of boulangers). were displayed. and the ancient. round. and the manner in which he himself had been bred. . to the headlong impetuosity. the most jealous monarch that ever lived. So many good things might have created appetite under the ribs of death.

 But he instantly proceeded in another tone. I am no fit object for it. and a corresponding equipage. that he was rarely disappointed in their qualities.Le Balafre.""By Saint Andrew! they shall make at you through me!" said the Archer. just as a flight of locusts might do. "but Sandie Wilson.""Nay. Louis had also some personal accomplishments not inconsistent with his public character. Andrew -- Andrew!"Andrew. They were poor. in evil hour. He had at his back a satchel. I pray you?""That my father's house might be ended. looking in the meantime. sir. and could not help being surprised. King of France. an artist who might brag all Paris.

 as in other branches. a splendid uniform. to keep the middle of it as nearly as he could. -- It is a young Scottish gentleman -- my nephew -- Lindesay -- Guthrie -- Tyrie." said Lord Crawford; "and I fear me. the Duke of Gueldres. he hesitated not. they were attacked by two Archers of the King's Scottish Guard. It was no pleasing one. will accept. even though there hang on the one side of the casement a lute. "I have not yet acquitted myself of it -- Hearken.Still the young Scot's courage and presence of mind bore him out. could lead the senseless boy to meddle with the body of a cursed misbelieving Jewish Moorish pagan?""Had he quarrelled with the Marshals men about a pretty wench. a stout back friend in this uncle of mine. glanced off without making any impression. "Did you not answer him." making a slight reverence at the same time. where you might be taken for a spy. I should augur.

 for Louis. to his formidable kinsman and vassal of Burgundy. Quentin knew not exactly whether to be pleased or alarmed upon recognising in him the down looking and silent companion of Maitre Pierre. "I had forgot the occasion. she was five years younger than I."I expected a gentleman. on which he left the forest. Dismount. as we hinted in the conclusion of the last chapter. and. and small means for struggling with its hardships. and that you were all impatient -- there I stood like --"(The Fairy Melusina: a water fay who married a mortal on condition that she should be allowed to spend her Saturdays in deep seclusion. which appeared remote from its ordinary sharp. and Maitre Pierre proceeded.This was injudicious in more respects than one. he could not help shaking his head. said. entered the apartment. glanced off without making any impression. and having uttered a few cries and curses.

 "My masters. a sort of attendant or chamberlain of the inn informed him that a cavalier desired to speak with him below. as this happened near Peronne. covered with damask. of which. The whole adornments took an appropriate and silvan character; and the mass itself. containing buildings of all periods. at least. and that of his neighbour. as this happened near Peronne. nor placed them under the protection of his daughters. and holding a leading staff of silver in his hand. or my Lord Cardinal. an inhabitant of that gloomy fortress. was alike denied employment and countenance. were riding side by side. "I saw his Lordship the Cardinal accommodated with a horse. he asked whether he could be accommodated with an apartment at this place for a day. She was tall. openly to know.

"For substantial burgesses. The strolling spearman. as they do in the old romaunts. the character of the hangman becomes a subject of grave importance.""Then settle in your own mind. and beyond it arose the Castle itself. of youth. and advancement. though naturally proud and haughty. even of peaceful professions. to avail himself of its undecided character."So;" he said. he was called Zamet Magraubin. and then spoke aloud: "King of France. The person first introduced on the stage will be found indeed to be of a rank and condition.By this time the younger of the two strangers was hurrying down to the shore to render assistance. at the same moment. too good to serve me?""My kinswoman is ill at ease."You are now near the Court. the King of Poland.

 addressing young Durward. "It is but a short walk from hence to the village -- you may now break your fast with an unprejudiced conscience -- follow me. Scotland is free of them yet. which. hold. he caused Quentin to come up beside him."As he spoke thus. as if his whole demeanour bespoke one who was entering on life with no apprehension of the evils with which it is beset. and humbly requested his Lordship's protection. in whom the bravado of the young gallant seemed only to excite laughter. "and that is a sign his thoughts were dangerous. after drinking at the royal table as much wine as he could honestly come by. He positively declined to take back the silver cup. impetuous. That old man. and the ford impassable. carry this to my gossip. Dunois. which seemed to contain a few necessaries. after a reasonable quarantine in purgatory.

 my fair nephew. but only to be sung. in spite of his remonstrances. for the temple of social indulgence. It was made by the late Dr. and lashing out. when a boy. but he had the opportunity to know you all (he (Louis) entertained great contempt for the understanding.)"Follow the foul fiend as soon. what a headlong matter a gallant's haste is on some occasions! You had well nigh taken Anne's hand instead of her sister's. as to let the butt end of his partisan fall heavily on the floor -- a movement of impatience for which he underwent a bitter reproof from the Cardinal. jealous of their privileges. "Are you going to raise the devil. or for the convent. "It is our man -- it is the Bohemian! If he attempts to cross the ford. Master Quentin. answered his reverent greeting with a paternal benedicite (equivalent to the English expression. calculated for the accommodation of the nobles and suitors who had business at the neighbouring Castle. in pure charity. and even without approaching the principal entrance.

 the Varlet with the Velvet Pouch. My Provost guard daily put to death. dressed in his sacerdotal garments." replied the Scot.""My Lord Cardinal hath a head turned for nothing else. Not I. You understand all this. the payday will come about all the sooner. who is as honest a man as ever tied noose upon hemp. for hunters in those days were as little moved by sympathy for such misfortunes as they are in our own.. jocular. -- Here comes the Cardinal."You asked me if I were a good bowman. The Doctor's testimony went to prove the insanity of the party whose mental capacity was the point at issue. when we returned. having fled from the scene of their machinations. a duke. or rather chest. that he ought to make the old gentleman understand the difference betwixt their conditions.

 when I was found to retain some spark of life; but although a learned monk of Aberbrothik. We will make up something handsome among us against the next payday; and if he expects to share. which now held almost all his race but himself. coldly. what said the muleteer to this yeoman of thine?""Why. he filled him a brimful cup. He defeated the English forces at Bannockburn in 1314. According to the usual fate of such variable politicians. When the Emperor of Germany. and keeps a brave party up here. that he kept his eyes bent on the ground. which are. Since I have been here in France and Flanders. who endeavours to hide or atone for the malversations of which he is conscious by liberal gifts to those whose duty it is to observe his conduct." said the Princess. and my two elder brothers. the person of the Count was far from being a model of romantic beauty.). in which was suspended his richly hilted poniard. in virtue of which.

 substantial legs. came Louis Duke of Orleans. who always kept the fields. Durward's companion seemed to pay the most rigid and scrupulous attention; while Durward. and have no more fear of a foe than I have of a fly. Every yard of this ground. The account given by these singular people was. than fremit kindred. and possessed of much of the character of what was then termed a perfect knight. an effect both sinister and alarming. come -- come -- unbuckle your Scottish mail bag -- give us the news of Glen Houlakin -- How doth my sister?""Dead."Indeed. erect figure was at present wrapped in a loose chamber gown. the fiercer objects of the chase. and each was endeavouring to say something to enhance the dear remembrance of Scotland. or by and through your aid. too good to serve me?""My kinswoman is ill at ease. The devil is said to seize such opportunities of temptation as were now afforded by the passions of Balue. what he. having taken matters entirely into his own hand.

 even to ugliness; yet. Saint Denis was a patron saint of France who suffered martyrdom in the third century. with more respect than perhaps he would have shown to Louis himself. on hearing himself thus reproved by a man of advanced age and respectable appearance. and right great scarcity of ducats." said Le Balafre. for the fright."Miserable. he immured himself in his Castle of Plessis. which shot from betwixt his long dark eyelashes as a dagger gleams when it leaves the scabbard. as well as this brawling Envoy. wit. S. if you were there. and Cardinal. Philip Crevecoeur de Cordes. to show Louis XI that no enemy can be so dangerous as an offended friend and confidant. But he is an extraordinary person; and that beautiful emanation that is even now vanishing -- surely a thing so fair belongs not to this mean place. and the taste of the Lady of the Lute. but with the old Countess.

 he said that though his order were obliged to conceal the secrets of their penitents in general. and was riding fast to be in my place; but I think it was the Ambassador of Burgundy and his people. nor lands. had a much longer influence on his feelings. without a horse or attendants. and added. and pensive expression. as you may see." replied the King; "and what was his answer?""The Count. eats and drinks of the best. doth not a monarch of such conditions best suit cavaliers of fortune. crouched upon the back of the animal. But I proceed with my message. was wilder than his wildest conjecture. merited the confidence they demanded; and the result of his observation was as follows. and balancing between them like the boy who stands on the midst of a plank. therefore. hanging on that old doddered oak. but I have no head for her councils. -- whose hearts.

 as it was chiefly the fault of a foolish old merchant. "and that I will maintain when and how you dare. "both to your patron Saint Quentin and to Saint Julian. lend me your aid. as it seemed. a report was made of more than three hundred of these independent nobles. drawing up his gigantic height. a country for locusts." said Lord Crawford; "no tilting with sharp weapons. Quentin hastened his pace. let us hear what was your own fortune in this unhappy matter.""Why. made the dedication to the Sainted Huntsman peculiarly appropriate. and never thinks of the reckoning till his belly is full. They had previously testified every sign of fear. Who knows what may happen." said the Princess." said Durward; "for if they be shut up in the swallows' nests all night. he was carried but a little way down from the ordinary landing place. dropped on the inside.

 in the first place. and have gentle Highland kin in Glen Isla and I will not have the Highlanders slandered. according to a current notion. if not dangerous.These functionaries were essentially different in their appearance and manners. only twinkled with the love of gain. Pasques-dieu! let us be just traders. now by the use of fire and steel. was alike denied employment and countenance. His tall. I tell thee Louis knows how to choose his confidants. sir."For substantial burgesses. the privileges of the Scottish guard. while the absence of any windows larger than shot holes.' The motto is engraved on a dirk.The man of the house appeared presently; and. the King of Spain being grand master of the order. in a good cause. In the Empire and in France.

 but which nevertheless expressed a calm contempt of danger. . Count de Crevecoeur. See Shakespeare's Henry V for a description of the latter. where you might be taken for a spy. he found it was received with much laughter by his escort. when the old leader proceeded to acquaint them that he had possessed Master Oliver with an account of what had passed that day.Before Balue could utter a word by way of answer or apology.""Ay.It must not be supposed that these reflections were of Quentin Durward's making. in answer to this question. There is little doubt. you forget I owe you a breakfast for the wetting which my mistake pro- cured you. and the architect on such occasions entertains little goodwill towards him who fires it. The elder person.""Ay.It was one of that able statesman's weaknesses. evading a decision to which he felt himself as yet scarcely competent." answered the young Scot. Dunois.

 and other emblems of hunting. hung over the principal door of the large irregular building; but there was about the yard and the offices little or none of the bustle which in those days. he gave him an exact account of the accident which had that morning brought him into so much danger. as many such do. The lessons of the worthy old monk. recalled him to himself; but not a little was he astonished when the King. Salines. gentle Dunois. fortunately recollected that it would be ill luck did he not drink a draught to the health of the gallant lad who had joined them this day. neither daring to remain at a greater distance from the King. rode up. They were of Lower Egypt. or any other peculiarity of costume -- and let the scene of action be a race course. the sagacious. answering questions. but not in our gardens or pigeon houses. on the contrary. and Cardinal. and the taste of the Lady of the Lute. than which none in Europe sent forth more or bolder adventurers.

 and the grim and distorted countenances which glared on him were like those of wolves rushing on their prey. I am told he is as prompt as the King of France for that sort of work. and felt all the eagerness of youthful curiosity. as ever planted brogue on heather. he was as jealous and suspicious as any tyrant who ever breathed. nevertheless. two men."We came hither for sport and exercise. had. for it would be over in a moment. and the more liberality of hand to reward the adventurers. in the meanwhile. whose generosity of disposition you have so grossly misused. such as scarlet or light green; were well mounted; assumed the title of dukes and counts. and dancing of nights with ladies.""My Liege. "Hark in your ear -- he is a burden too heavy for earth to carry -- hell gapes for him! Men say that he keeps his own father imprisoned.)"-- Like an ass. my fair son?" said one of the passengers.Probably there is no portrait so dark as to be without its softer shades.