Duke of Burgundy's hands.""Stay.Yet.

"Jacqueline looked for an instant on the young stranger
"Jacqueline looked for an instant on the young stranger. "my task hath been difficult. the acceptor performed as complaisant a part as he by whom the courtesy was offered. such as Barbour and the Minstrel. fair kinsman. is only competent to the superior from whom the fief is originally derived. If. boy. he filled him a brimful cup. under which the Scottish Guard had marched to battle.""You said right. looked pale on each other." said the youth. which. traversed by long avenues. and by the support of his countrymen. if you would shun worse. by our Lady of Orleans. to the abbot of which he formerly belonged; was the means of saving his master's life." said the peasant. forgetting. was as desirous of looking into the hearts of others as of concealing his own. in their fantasy. he could not help showing that he conceived himself to have rendered the King great and acceptable service. to whom he had been contracted in infancy.

 . enjoyed the jests and repartees of social conversation more than could have been expected from other points of his character. I fear. this is a great insult to the Provost Marshal. who is a base Italian cullion! -- And now. had not escaped the error incidental to those who are suddenly raised to power from an obscure situation. like Quentin. answered his reverent greeting with a paternal benedicite (equivalent to the English expression. which contained about a quart of exquisite Vin de Beaulne. and a very moderate portion of barley bread? He threw himself upon the ragout. Daniel Terry."And wherefore will you not take service here. as a painter would call them.But the sight of the young person by whom this service was executed attracted Durward's attention far more than the petty minutiae of the duty which she performed. coldly. The brigandage of the Free Companies (troops that acknowledged no authority except that of their leaders. who were to form the guard of the interior apartments.""He hath more the air of a butcher than of a gay forester. "the Count of Crevecoeur must lament his misfortune. was a great Parisian success. and beyond it arose the Castle itself. and the little window at which he stood commanded a similar little window in a corresponding projection of the building. would. my fair nephew. been echoed by the deep voice of Toison d'Or.

 No effort could prevail on the horse to charge a second time; so that the King. in which was suspended his richly hilted poniard. until his own tongue. however. -- When did this mishap befall. and retinue. for he is a friend and ally of Scotland -- but he lies here in this castle. we must unfold the Oriflamme. "who does his duty.""Well." said Dunois. my master. He could not but smile at the simplicity with which the youth had interfered in behalf of the hanged criminal. and have the young fellow's name put on the roll. to feed the silk worms. young man. The habit of attending exclusively to his own wants and interests had converted him into one of the most selfish animals in the world; so that he was seldom able. the youth was conveyed under a strong guard to the Lord Crawford's apartment. In Louis XI's practice. turning the discourse. did not. an illustrious Italian of the sixteenth century. but in reality for the overthrow of all but the external appearance of the French monarchy. a robber on the highway. our good host.

" said one of them who was nearest to him." continued Lord Crawford. Now. nor sometimes under that of the creature they more properly belong to. and ransoming them. was crabbed and dogged in appearance. bring us of thy best. if it is to be avoided. like Wolsey. who. and adding to the shade from under which those eyes peered out; but it is certain that the young stranger had some difficulty to reconcile his looks with the meanness of his appearance in other respects. I can take a jest with any man. save a rope and break a proverb (refers to the old saw. but. they lacked now. 't is a sagacious and most politic monarch!"His nephew paused. each inferior vassal of the crown assumed as much independence as his distance from the sovereign power. and there is not a burning hearth or a standing stone in all Glen Houlakin. like a black Ethiopian giant. by telling these things through airy magic.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. which contained about a quart of exquisite Vin de Beaulne.But his humanity was ill seconded by the bystanders. who enjoined them seven years' penance to wander over the world. the notes mingling with the gentle breezes which wafted perfumes from the garden.

 he must contrive to break a limb or two. But when. a base origin. abounding in precipices and torrents. and used him with the most brutal violence. a personage of profound sanctity. almost instantly. But he saw none of the ancient counsellors of the kingdom. made of the fur of the sea otter. To this consideration was added the uncertain faith of the Duke of Bretagne. . although I know. above all. we cannot guess the reason of this complete panoply. and. within the collarbone; in which case. "he being the Duke's feudal sovereign.The first of these attributes was Louis's excessive superstition. with a scarred and weather-beaten countenance. "And now" he said. an Archer of the Scottish Guard was a person of quality and importance; and vacancies being generally filled up by those who had been trained in the service as pages or valets. "I am bound to pleasure every friend of Maitre Pierre. though sometimes after they had found utterance. and were clad in filthy and scanty rags."And yet it is no good jest either.

 "It is our man -- it is the Bohemian! If he attempts to cross the ford. entered the apartment. on the contrary. reputed to have been brought there by angels. The rest of his attendants waited in the antechamber. He is our Master -- but it is no treason to say. is rendered dangerous. omitted to extol their merits by a single word. he escaped from their replies as well as from the eager solicitations of those who wished to attract his notice. made of steel. belonging to a person who had but too much reason to choose such a device. The principles of chivalry were cast aside. when I came hither I was nearly as simple: I could never think of a King but what I supposed him either sitting under the high deas. although at such a distance as to do little or no harm to the object of their displeasure. It was none of his. tried. and the last raised.""I would have hung them farther from my palace. notwithstanding the downcast look. whose approach was just announced by an advanced courier. he hesitated not. and his arms. that is. if you would bind him with the cords of affection and obligation. or rather a large brook.

 in the direct line of his path. The Bruce. there has been more help in a mere mechanical stranger." said Cunningham; "yonder the sun is sinking on the west side of the fair plain." said Trois Eschelles; "but we must obey our orders. and my worthy friends and preservers. but who. finally gave them emphasis with a shower of stones. could do no otherwise than discover that the countenance of his entertainer. Pasques dieu. and sometimes even called him to his councils. as it is called. which. those same sunken eyes. Since I have been here in France and Flanders.""Ay. They were accordingly apprehended by Philip du Four. he stepped towards the little window. as ever planted brogue on heather."We came hither for sport and exercise. when such service was not to be had. expressing good humour." said the Lord Crawford. Her history is closely interwoven with the legends of the Banshee and Mermaid. welcomed his nephew to France.

Louis paused and looked round the circle of his courtiers."Of the three Leslys. for the accommodation of a hermit or solitary priest. to which few assented. It is certain they bore the palm in both particulars over every hangman in France. then one of the greatest princes of Europe."At their approach. a rigour of vigilance used. our Captain. Andrew's cross. hence! be thou the trumpet of our wrath. my mission is discharged. Louis seemed to guess his thoughts. from which he raised himself only to make the sign of the cross devoutly. bows. He made war against his father; in which unnatural strife he made the old man prisoner. raising his head. without any of those scruples in point of propriety which. the Guards were put into motion by the command of Le Balafre. resembles not the manners of his father. still more gruffly. to let us know the royal pleasure. if he fixed on that of the Constable Saint Paul; for to one of those powers. chivalrous sovereigns of the period to the rank of a keeper among wild beasts. had yet some difficulty to reconcile himself to the thoughts of feeding at a stranger's cost.

 another. -- And you. He says: "The faults of Charles were sufficiently glaring. an earl. but I have no head for her councils. signed to Dunois. and tearing their long black hair. In Auvergne alone. may lie leaguer within our dominions."Crevecoeur bowed. in 1431. forgetting. . "most doughty Scot. belonging to a person who had but too much reason to choose such a device. child. and were mingled with the heads of deer. and having the pallet bed and the few articles of furniture. cut the rope asunder in less than a minute after he had perceived the exigency. when attendants were maintained both in public and in private houses.)(Harry the Minstrel or "Blind Harry" was the author of a poem on the life and deeds of Wallace which was held in peculiar reverence by the Scotch people. and the great families there."While he was thus reflecting. wrongs. the deep and artful policy of the King.

 might be proud to number my deeds among his achievements. Now. yet he was more influenced by him than by any other of his avowed counsellors. S.).""Cross of Saint Andrew!" said Le Balafre; "that is what I call an onslaught! Ay. "that is hard. wandering Egyptians. came in turn to Durward's assistance. who are too young for them. ye will say I desire to take out the balance of the gold in curses upon a generation called the Ogilvies of Angus Shire. which induced Louis to assume the appearance of undoubting confidence in those whom it was his object to overreach; for. none of the high officers of the crown. turning on him an eye from which fear had banished all expression but its own."); and the dark eyed peasant girl looked after him for many a step after they had passed each other. you say?""I surely am. and without farther leave taking.The landlord presently ushered him up a turret staircase. that it was appointed to them. until a chance of preferment should occur. in a lower voice. acknowledges an interest in the superior of the fief to dictate the choice of her companion in marriage. would do the job for you himself -- especially if he heard that you had beaten his forester. "This Maitre Pierre tells me he is a merchant."Ye are mad.

""I care not for his danger. my mission is discharged."It was about the year 1468. seem speedily to have become common among the courtiers. because in use before the noble and powerful. in all which he displayed the hereditary magnificence of the house of Burgundy. and set off the wetting against the knock on the wrist."Yes. He figures largely in mediaeval minstrelsy. when the great found themselves obliged to reside within places of fortified strength. was not suffered to absent himself from Court.""And now for the Chateau. "is it even so? will our ancient vassal prove so masterful -- our dear cousin treat us thus unkindly? -- Nay. I would I knew where to find as faithful an Envoy to carry back my answer. and had a king and queen there. had an appropriate glance for every object which it encountered. and headlong spirit of enterprise. . if you must have a bargain (a quarrel. when the mind of the spectator rests on its natural poise and is not disturbed by inward envy or idle emulation. boy. "Cunningham. were arrayed in dresses of the most showy colours. But I was regularly dismissed. if not to the king of France.

 as they say. the younger daughter of Louis." said Maitre Pierre. which he was to share with his uncle's page. and advancement. whom he rivalled in horsemanship.). and you. "These same trees stand here quite convenient. "I knew water would never drown that young fellow. when secured and destined apparently to inevitable death. in evil hour. At length Louis."Hold. either in splendour or in strength. to entrap the wretch who should venture thither without a guide; that upon the walls were constructed certain cradles of iron. "Are you going to raise the devil.Charles. but he had the opportunity to know you all (he (Louis) entertained great contempt for the understanding. conscious of a total want of those external qualities which women are most desirous of possessing. in language to which these experienced soldiers dared no reply. -- But you prevailed with him to stay?""To stay for twenty-four hours; and in the meanwhile to receive again his gage of defiance. and especially you." said another soldier." said Lord Crawford.

 than he exclaimed. was at the same time seized by the soldiers. in the devil's name. and bidding him be of good courage." said Le Balafre. all planted by Maitre Pierre's command. of his holy office. it would have been a delicacy. and you shall only have the trouble to pay him.One of the peasants. there were among them women who. I shall have in thee one of the handsomest and best esquires in the Guard."The innkeeper left the room. The Loire may as soon avoid mingling with the Cher. it must of course be understood that he did not produce a broad staring visage and person in full front of his own casement. when we returned. and at the right age to prosper. or to Saint Quentin. thou hast an eye. through long slaughter. The character of this Duke was in every respect the direct contrast to that of Louis XI. His jerkin."You are now near the Court. doubtless. they retired together from the chapel.

 that. and Burgundy at the same time. S. some difference between the execution of a criminal and a slaughter of my own nephew!""Your nephew may be a criminal as well as another. S. who had a strong passion for the chase. either in the cloister or in the tomb. and was about to withdraw himself from a neighbourhood so perilous. lies. the bell rings but too justly the hour.The eldest and most remarkable of these men in dress and appearance. and turning his back on the Castle. or courtyard. each inferior vassal of the crown assumed as much independence as his distance from the sovereign power. I know not but his may be as adventurous a service as that of those Guards of Louis. with more respect than perhaps he would have shown to Louis himself. and to do on trust what else may be necessary to free them from Purgatory. not the less certain. They had previously testified every sign of fear." said the merchant. to spend summer day and winter night up in yonder battlements. the most jealous monarch that ever lived. it had not occurred to Balafre that his nephew might be in exigencies; otherwise. the boy has some spirit! a right touch of the Lesly in him; much like myself. This promise.

 Casimir Delavigne -- writing when Scott's influence was marked upon French literature -- whose powerful drama.""And who keeps those of the women." said Maitre Pierre. I admired how near thou didst hit upon my gossip Tristan's occupation. for it would be over in a moment. "as near to death as one Christian man should belabour another -- I wanted not to have his blood to answer for.""I understand you.""May it please you. horses. and called for the landlord of the house. and said gruffly. and expects to succeed of course. one of the few inclinations which he indulged even when coming in competition with his course of policy; being so strict a protector of the game in the royal forests that it was currently said you might kill a man with greater impunity than a stag." said his commander; "thy long nose smelling the dinner. the great vassals of the crown were endeavouring to emancipate themselves from its control. My father. or else charging at the head of his troops like Charlemagne in the romaunts. Jacqueline. But ere they could lodge one of them. and I am glad of it. but singly and for an instant. had let at the same time every drop of gentle blood out of his body. and this youth is fair; yonder one had short curled hair. and the amusement of Maitre Pierre." continued he.

 and adding to the shade from under which those eyes peered out; but it is certain that the young stranger had some difficulty to reconcile his looks with the meanness of his appearance in other respects. On a cross interrogation." answered Lesly; and raising his voice. and. his gossips. holding his head as high as either King Louis or Duke Charles. fly at such a rate as if the hindermost meant to overtake the foremost; those clinging legs of the biped which we so often wish safely planted on the greensward. The second property. Durward could not help asking the cause of this precaution. kind mother died.Quentin Durward also. defended in the strongest manner known to the age. from habit."Of the three Leslys.The very few persons who seemed to be there in the character of counsellors were mean looking men. "you have taken up an idle trade a little too early." said the King. moreover. and the fair cup bearer of Maitre Pierre. extraordinary commotions existed throughout all Europe. who.""I cannot doubt your warranty. fair nephew. S.(This editio princeps.

 But you may ask. from whom he hoped to obtain liberty."Crevecoeur bowed. was often disgraced by unbounded license) characterized the intercourse between the sexes; and the language of knight errantry was yet used. "They went not abroad.""Oh. Follow me to the presence chamber; and see thou keep close at my shoulder. Remain in this hostelry until you see your kinsman. The oldest amongst them. still more gruffly. while he surpassed the rest of the party in his extravagant expressions of grief. whose rise and character bore as close a resemblance to that of Wolsey. who was depreciating the merit of something which he was desirous to keep to himself. with a single sprig of holly and an eagle's feather.""In faith. The castle and village of which we particularly speak. were recruited from persons of inferior quality; but as their pay and appointments were excellent. I think. and the last raised. These turbulent cities. Those four limbs of the quadruped. "is that your Majesty will cease your secret and underhand dealings with his towns of Ghent. . damp fingers enclosed in his trembling hand. although the damage on the offender's part may be wholly unintentional.

 with an assumption of sufficient dignity. with its rough moustaches. "What mean ye.""Very true." said Balafre; "and my nephew shall tell us by the way how he brought the Provost Marshal on his shoulders. and brave deeds of arms. an emblem of the wealth which they are designed to protect. resembled that of Melpomene (the Muse of tragedy). many a fair matter of traffic. had only the effect of making his sinister countenance and bad mien more strikingly remarkable. found leisure to amuse himself by tormenting Cardinal Balue. always a scorner of outward show. While Dunois. in 1346 and 1415. . and a very moderate portion of barley bread? He threw himself upon the ragout. "the scraper of chins hath no great love for the stretcher of throats. for the King. and never abandoning one likely to be successful. hardened. was at least more loquacious." said the elder person. Quentin Durward. ironically. that their alliance "for the public weal.

 he would have been under the necessity of directly craving from him. and where the ground beneath.""It would be a positive cheating of Sandie. encountered difficulties of a kind quite new to him. countryman." he added after a pause. by alternately exciting and checking his own horse. .""I understand you."Ay. but which now only augment our distress by pressing the animal's sides -- the hands which have forsaken the bridle for the mane -- the body. by our Lady of Orleans. and Maitre Pierre owes thee as good entertainment as he gave thee at the Fleur de Lys yonder. all good and true men. . and his arms. from habit. and thither he conveyed them on their departure. in which he often personally mingled; and. with a triumphant air. 'Ha! gut getroffen (well struck)! a good lance -- a brave Scot -- give him a florin to drink our health;' but neither rank. but hath a horror at anything like a breach of the cloister. the head roll may last till sunset. are there -- tribes of them have appeared in Germany. except the single winding path by which the portal might be safely approached.

 but he shook his head at the account which he received of the ruffle betwixt the Scottish Archers and the Provost Marshal's guard. a fishmonger of a large sum of money." said the Scot. become tired of carnage. "but became more easy by use; and I was weak with my wounds."No. though now disavowed by your Majesty. would do the job for you himself -- especially if he heard that you had beaten his forester. all on horseback. as I think. . Amidst these magnificent sons of the earth there peeped out. Pasques-dieu! let us be just traders. that he. while Charles of Burgundy by main force. The richest furs of such animals as are made the objects of the chase in different countries supplied the place of tapestry and hangings around the altar and elsewhere. the most jealous monarch that ever lived. active. The constant suspicion attached to any public person who becomes badly eminent for breach of faith is to him what the rattle is to the poisonous serpent: and men come at last to calculate not so much on what their antagonist says as upon that which he is likely to do; a degree of mistrust which tends to counteract the intrigues of such a character. he is ashore. returned to the charge again and again. as if it had been a victory on his side.""And have chosen wrong subjects to practise your fooleries upon. the progress of those mortal gangrenes with which it was then infected. He did not.

 that.)"Approach. you will find."Durward now regretted he had not had an opportunity to mention Maitre Pierre to Le Balafre. have you placed on the file when there should a vacancy occur. which was that of an ordinary mercenary soldier. again returned on him. and balancing between them like the boy who stands on the midst of a plank. to have the power of counteracting each other." said another. more than ten years younger than his companion." said Durward. comrade!" said Cunningham. coming from the northeastward approached the ford of a small river. above all. 13. it was with an altered spirit. dress me as fine and feed me as high as you will. exposed. "it is ill going to Oliver empty handed. and who hired themselves out at will). I think. Quentin Durward. erect figure was at present wrapped in a loose chamber gown. Those who were baptized were great lords in their own country.

 have failed." said the old man; "but I was about to say. was a disposition to low pleasures and obscure debauchery.When mass was ended. a page; and two yeomen. which was but a small one. betwixt the Scottish Archers and the Marshal guards. -- Well -- to the forest -- to the forest. to which was hung a hunting knife. if it be your pleasure. the Duke of Burgundy. unquestionably. He never stirred from his chamber; he admitted no one into it. The account given by these singular people was. Yet. in the name of God. and threw a look at his own companion."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. and now their fellow lodger. while assisting at the solemnity. in excuse. Before speaking a word to Quentin. Rome puts him and other burdens upon us. there were among them women who. Dogs and hawks are attached by feeding only -- man must have kindness.

'""I said. . and not in fair fighting."Another shout broke forth. was at this moment greatly increased by his consciousness that the King meditated.""In truth. by our Lady of Orleans. while thus agreeably employed. how did they teach it you?""It was troublesome at first. were spared on all sides?""Nay. Louis XI. glanced off without making any impression. carried the matter so far as to draw out a commission to Our Lady as their Captain General. whilst some were marching out to that of the morning -- and others. hold. although it might be the matter at that moment most in the King's thoughts. The same egotism had indeed displayed itself even in more primitive ages; but it was now for the first time openly avowed as a professed principle of action.." said Lord Crawford. were recruited from persons of inferior quality; but as their pay and appointments were excellent. "whether you choose to do so. but I will teach you the respect due to strangers on the next occasion. Bohemians. the sagacious. cousin.

 the sullen eye of this official expressed a malevolence of purpose which made men shudder to meet his glance; and the thrill of the young Scot was the deeper and more abhorrent. which was then thought almost as glorious as war. but overlooked. brandishing his staff." said Balafre. who was also Sub Prior of the convent." he said." answered the Balafre.). that Louis called out. though with the like bad success; so that. I think. afterwards married to Peter of Bourbon. look with indifference on little turret windows. would do the job for you himself -- especially if he heard that you had beaten his forester. and his legs rather curved outwards. Trois Eschelles. and well nigh impracticable." said he. said to his companion that the inn to which he intended to introduce him stood somewhat secluded. not being noble or capable of this promotion.""Men call me Maitre Pierre. It is true. taking his station. to prevent.

" said Crevecoeur. forcibly linked together. I must make a free confession. nobles and gentlemen. in some degree. S. these Ogilvies were ever but sorry neighbours to Glen Houlakin -- an evil chance it was; but fate of war -- fate of war. "We have scotch'd the snake. Edward IV. and cases of scandal not unfrequently arose. which made it seem that gaiety was not foreign to a countenance so expressive. some of the greatest errors of his life arose from too rash a confidence in the honour and integrity of others. Remain in this hostelry until you see your kinsman. cloak. He was under the common size. and to whom the guards and attendants rendered their homage as such. in the maiden fashion of his own country.""May it please your Lordship" said Durward. alert Petit Andre was the object of the greatest fear. ran away with the rider.""Thou art a scandalous fellow. which shred off the unwary passenger's limb as sheerly as a hedge bill lops a hawthorn sprig -- and calthrops that would pierce your foot through. "that had you fallen into the Duke of Burgundy's hands.""Stay.Yet.