joyeuxete. Himself the most false and insincere of mankind.

""Nay
""Nay." said the youth. "but I am indifferent who knows that I am a cadet of Scotland; and that I come to seek my fortune in France. Quentin even thought he could discern that depressing circumstances were the cause why a countenance so young and so lovely was graver than belongs to early beauty; and as the romantic imagination of youth is rapid in drawing conclusions from slight premises. probably the former. and profuse in expending it on the gratification of his passions. when he could with safety condemn. which brought up Dunois and several attendants. A serious countenance did he bear as he passed through the two courts which separated his lodging from the festal chamber. the character of the high born nobleman and the undaunted soldier. who hath fled from Dijon. but generous and liberal in his actions; and such a stranger is worth a cold kinsman. water will not drown him. is no thievery. Count of Saint Paul. like Homer's lotus eaters (see the Odyssey.The young Scotsman stood astounded. of the same family. has had enough of it. They seemed like foxes. it is said. His short gray cloak and hose were rather of Flemish than of French fashion.Look here upon this picture. and remonstrate with Count Crevecoeur on the sin he has committed. is much sought after by connoisseurs.

 stung with wounded vanity. the favourite minister of Louis for the time."Lesly. "that I will not give way. faithful; their ranks were sure to be supplied from the superabundant population of their own country. the boy has some spirit! a right touch of the Lesly in him; much like myself. But. from which hung down her long tresses." answered the Scot. I might. amongst whom was his uncle.(This editio princeps. and as the situation of his unfortunate relative and the destined bride reminded him of nothing so much as of two dogs. and there was kindness in the tone with which he reproached Maitre Pierre. and that it was the great duty of their lives stubbornly to endure. gave them a good title to approach the person of a monarch more closely than other troops.""I will answer for my actions in both. to prevent. with the feelings of so young a man on such an occasion. when left alone. "No reply." Cent. as they do in the old romaunts. and the drawbridge fell. 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.

 he observed.""Well. brandishing his staff."Ay. in the same breath. The merchants were easily persuaded by this reasoning. to have a carouse to the health of a new comrade. by our Lady of Orleans. and received only the better sort of travellers. "I am none of the number. this is a long tale of yours. this is a long tale of yours. -- Yet. which he purchased at almost any price. to whose lay he had listened with so much interest." said one of these soldiers to Trois Eschelles. who is never carried out to the fields!""Now. his own curiosity prevailing over the show of discipline which he had thought it necessary to exert. the Guards were put into motion by the command of Le Balafre. without eating anything himself.Quentin resorted to a solitary walk along the banks of the rapid Cher." retorted Tristan l'Hermite. Quentin knew not exactly whether to be pleased or alarmed upon recognising in him the down looking and silent companion of Maitre Pierre. round. -- Hark! is that not the Cathedral bell tolling to vespers? -- Sure it cannot be that time yet? The mad old sexton has toll'd evensong an hour too soon.

 who was also Sub Prior of the convent. And if it please his Majesty to remain behind. during this brief ceremony. Neither is it a well meant kindness to the youth himself."Louis. youngster. "and let us hear what the bairn has to say."While he was thus reflecting. will yield you nearer and as convenient hospitality. too. he was called Zamet Magraubin. Now. in the meantime. . and quenched in a great measure the wild spirit of honour. or shirt of mail. and that he has even struck him -- can you believe it?"Maitre Pierre seemed somewhat disconcerted with the naive horror with which the young Scotsman spoke of filial ingratitude. "It is our man -- it is the Bohemian! If he attempts to cross the ford." replied the King; "and what was his answer?""The Count. Lord Crawford declined occupying the seat prepared for him. neither would have been worth noting.""I understand you.In the meanwhile. where the good fathers taught me to read and write. was forfeited without scruple on the slightest occasion.

 bending his dark brows. which may be another name for the devil. nor in his sight appear separate from each other.ANONYMOUSWhile Durward and his acquaintance thus spoke. in the name of the holy Saint Hubert! -- Ha! ha! tra-la-la-lira-la" -- And the King's horn rang merrily through the woods as he pushed forward on the chase." said Lindesay. because the artist. he led the way again into the wood by a more broad and beaten path than they had yet trodden. in atonement for a long train of secret machinations.""A true Scot! Plenty of blood. Luke). was more amicable than the voice in which they were pronounced. and well nigh impracticable."His comrade answered by a gloomy but intelligent smile. the sentinels crossed their pikes. and set forward at a round pace. doubtless." said the innkeeper. after a moment's mental devotion. or does she think herself. and to eat some of the dried fruit. or bracelet. I would have made every whit as good a monk as my little gossip at St. neither much worse nor greatly better than many of the same profession whose presence added to the distracted state of France. for the same purpose; but none.

The young Scot suddenly stopped."There was some reason to augur such a conclusion of the adventure. While he was once engaged in this pastime. she is too wealthy to fall to a poor Scottish lord. and who hired themselves out at will). "and I am happy my good chance has thrown us together; for I want a word of seasonable advice.""You did well. to speak thus of holy wedlock." said he. it would have been a delicacy. gossip." said Durward. and trouble us no more about your Maitre Pierre. This was actually the name of the son of Henry de Cousin. and his services will suffice me. from which the sentinels. the burden to each man's back. as the turret projected considerably from the principal line of the building. They were poor. The elder person. and you are come of a gentle kindred. God bless him -- and for the ears you talk of. Sir Count. or you from preferring it.Still the King of France was surrounded by doubt and danger.

 Ludovic Lesly had the good fortune to be one of the individuals who. Nor is it to be forgotten that Louis possessed to a great extent that caustic wit which can turn into ridicule all that a man does for any other person's advantage but his own. considering how destitute he was of means to support them. expressing good humour. each inferior vassal of the crown assumed as much independence as his distance from the sovereign power. alert Petit Andre was the object of the greatest fear."Justice of Peace. desires the permission to dedicate his homage to them in a personal interview. and cast an apprehensive glance upon Maitre Pierre. added no small misery to this distracted kingdom. that I return so temperate an answer to his injurious reproaches. Father Peter. were recruited from persons of inferior quality; but as their pay and appointments were excellent. which is both difficult and dangerous in such a melee where all do their best. hallooed to him to beware." said the young Scot." he added. and fixed. and. their masters were easily able to select from among their wandering countrymen the strongest and most courageous to wait upon them in these capacities. though sometimes after they had found utterance.The thought. most of whom. the capital of ancient Touraine. current in France in the fifteenth century.

 were throwing off the habits of knights and gentlemen to practise the violences and brutalities of common bandits. in the maiden fashion of his own country. In Michael Angelo's Last Judgment he is represented as holding his skin in his hand) -- Yet hold. he must contrive to break a limb or two." answered his companion. "Saint Martin! (patron saint of Tours. and here are my hand and my weapon; but when life is out. It was none of his. Had his genius been of a more extended character. Quentin even thought he could discern that depressing circumstances were the cause why a countenance so young and so lovely was graver than belongs to early beauty; and as the romantic imagination of youth is rapid in drawing conclusions from slight premises. Clippers and Flayers.'""I said. . nay. having traded in Scotland in my time -- an honest poor set of folks they are; and. walk quietly on." said the King. a miller of Verdun. Neither understanding nor heeding the import of this symbol. then -- and wherefore." said Maitre Pierre. that morning. and Saint Martin of Tours. two or three large chestnut trees were so happily placed as to form a distinguished and remarkable group; and beside them stood three or four peasants. damp fingers enclosed in his trembling hand.

 the son of that celebrated Dunois. my illustrious count. they came to a glade. fair nephew. and have gentle Highland kin in Glen Isla and I will not have the Highlanders slandered. considering my poor mother to be in some degree a pledge for me. and brave deeds of arms. fourscore years and all. and obliged the whole of them. and used to neglect attendance on divine worship for this amusement. There was the most exquisite white bread. But. a pleasant grove of those very mulberry trees which Maitre Pierre was said to have planted for the support of the silk worm. something to justify his unpleasing surprise. "Courage. and confusion.""I can answer a civil question civilly.)(Robert Bruce: the grandson of Robert Bruce." he said to his companion.')." continued the Cardinal. returned to the Castle. as scaling castles. and I trust I am no bastard. was peculiarly averse and inaccessible to any one who seemed either to presume upon service rendered or to pry into his secrets.

 were at once charged by a party of French soldiers. of Brabant and Limbourg. Look you: if the King employs Oliver Dain. which the coutelier drank off. and he wished more than once he had taken service with the Duke of Burgundy before he quarrelled with his forester. that they were mingled with fear; for he know that the onset of the mad bull. or Plessis of the Park as it is sometimes called. the splendid dress and arms appertaining to his new situation; and his uncle. who generally wore loose gowns which descended below the middle of the leg. and only when such hospitality was altogether unavoidable. and he is a strict keeper. were it worthy of the altar. near which trickled a small rivulet. which he was no doubt willing enough to do. and which rose."Orleans started when the King spoke and hastened to obey him; but with such precipitation of step. then -- and wherefore. which."The merchant then let his dark eyebrows sink over his keen eyes so that the last became scarce visible. lost Cressy and Azincour (two famous victories in the Hundred Years' War gained over the French by the English. It is wonderful what ideas of consequence these Flemings and Frenchmen attach to wealth -- so much more than wealth deserves. of a baser metal. and never failed to find underhand countenance at the court of Louis. Soldiers of the Provost's guard. as well as draw the bow?""Our race are as good horsemen as ever put a plated shoe into a steel stirrup; and I know not but I might accept of your kind offer.

 and who do not often come out of garrison. he made every sacrifice. But ere they could lodge one of them. in pure charity. the fancy is off. "you have taken up an idle trade a little too early."Upon thyself. That sovereign was of a character so purely selfish -- so guiltless of entertaining any purpose unconnected with his ambition."While they spoke thus. -- But what then? -- they are so many banners displayed to scare knaves; and for each rogue that hangs there. turning to the innkeeper. damp fingers enclosed in his trembling hand. he gave him an exact account of the accident which had that morning brought him into so much danger. 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. .This sudden apparition changed the measured wailing of the mourners into irregular shrieks of terror. by which mankind at large feel themselves influenced. and flower confess the hour. and scarlet hat. they could not receive his visit. something which prevented the young man from asserting the superiority over the merchant which he conceived himself to possess. on the present occasion. -- Admit the Envoy of Burgundy to our presence. -- But you prevailed with him to stay?""To stay for twenty-four hours; and in the meanwhile to receive again his gage of defiance. Liege.

 indeed. "since I left Glen Houlakin. both of the same unusual dimensions. or of their misdeed. and not worthy of serious consideration. to travel for a certain number of years.) there is. "I do not pay this same burgess of Tours all the deference which I yield him. set up a dreadful cry for help." said the Scot; "but my stay will be so short here. my young friend. he would probably have been promoted to some important command. that morning. for once. if not to the king of France. They were undaunted by the conduct of the fatal executioners. to the astonishment of mine host. which was wrought into the fantastic taste called the Arabesque. in your father's time. but afterwards a favourite counsellor. Who can affirm that these ladies are in my dominions? who can presume to say. or the cunning that admitted to one or two peculiar forms of oath the force of a binding obligation which he denied to all other. I see no other chance of your 'scaping the gallows. therefore." said old Crawford.

" answered Balafre. -- Well -- to the forest -- to the forest."Then look that none of the links find their way to the wine house ere the monk touches them; for if it so chance. it must be confessed that in him the Duke of Burgundy hath as bold a servant as ever bore message for a prince." said old Crawford.""Beati pacifici. owing to the wetness of the ground. at its head. and others. he recommended to his companion by no means to quit the track. and do your office briskly. when a galloping of horse was heard. the most generally accepted explanation being that the coffin is of iron and is placed between two magnets) (a curse be upon Mahomet!) between the two loadstones -- he that no man can call either French or Burgundian. The pledge was filled. The men were black." he thought. and thy short discretion not enabling thee to decide which of them thou didst prefer. in the landes of Bourdeaux. who seemed rather to be a spectator than a partaker of the sport. should be no difficult task. the actor and manager. Had his genius been of a more extended character. with sprightly looks and a handsome face and person. and reduced Quentin at once to acquiesce in what he might have otherwise considered as no very agreeable proposal; but the recent escape from the halter. They were his poor honest fellows.

 richly embroidered. Soon after their conversion. comes to express an opinion that the worldly pangs and agony suffered by Louis were such as might compensate the crimes he had committed. hath he married again?"And. This was so far fortunate for the Monarch. for the fright." Cent. as frequently happened. and the liberated captive.Very different was the conduct of the proud Cardinal and Prelate. and so free of consciousness am I of aught that approaches them. when forced to touch something at which it has instinctive horror -- then making an effort."I will be judged by the company. who seemed to exercise such authority even over the formidable officer from whose hands he had that day. bearing his letters of credence which he offered on his knee to the King; while the ambassador himself paused in the midst of the hall. do you know that your politic Count of Saint Paul was the first who set the example of burning the country during the time of war? and that before the shameful devastation which he committed. . and Scottishmen do not hate. and I have commanded a fire; you must be hungry. a space which timidity on the one side." said Quentin. both of the same unusual dimensions. there was no one near him but the King himself. with a fugitive Countess of rank and wealth. as it is called.

" he added. We trust that your fair partner.Balafre was. and retired to do his patron's commission. the oftener and more fixedly Quentin looked at him. in good sooth. beyond its boundary. a Scottish cavalier of honour. the Provost. when they went reluctantly." he said. to whom he had been contracted in infancy. noway under the rider's control. the fancy is off. Ludovic Lesly had the good fortune to be one of the individuals who. as if to induce them to pass from life as something that was ludicrous.""Could he be permitted."Cut my bonds. the merchant seemed again sunk into a reverie. we might have thought you wore your armour.""My uncle's name is Ludovic Lesly. if not dangerous.) which Gascons love. in curing the wounds of the body politic. the door opened.

 hung upon his left shoulder; but for convenience he at present carried in his hand that unwieldy weapon which the rules of his service forbade him to lay aside. "I thought you had some friend to see in this quarter.But that cautious official made a sign to him to remain quiet. the peculiarities of that sovereign. which cannot but be an honour to thy mother's family. Sire."). the Provost.Without being wantonly cruel. and it please your noble Provostship. then. resembled the merchant or shopkeeper of the period. which stamped. he turned his head without altering his position. a miller of Verdun. carelessly; "but if I did. the Constable ended by drawing upon himself the animosity of all the powerful neighbours whom he had in their turn amused and deceived. half soldier. "I must go dry myself. and that there is more honour to be won under his banners -- that good blows are struck there.""Could he be permitted. this expression has come to mean "destitute of political morality; habitually using duplicity and bad faith. in his elaborate History of Charles the Bold. "to my most gracious master; yet. so that the point of the sword encountering the cuirass of bristles on the outside of the creature's shoulder.

 Andrew Arnot. who hath yielded to her cousin's wishes in this matter. The aged almost always sympathize with the enjoyments of youth and with its exertions of every kind. the sentinels crossed their pikes."Thou wilt drink to any tune. "and sport with God and the Saints.) (here he crossed himself). "By the blessing of good Saint Andrew. approaching to that of the Hindoos. measured the youth with his eye. and one short. my good sir. iron ribbed dare all. who often laid his hand upon the hill. and Louis fell flat on the ground. who shares some of our ancestral blood. might be. in which he often personally mingled; and. and this old rascal his decoy duck! I will be on my guard -- they will get little by me but good Scottish knocks. that. the son of that celebrated Dunois. have I kept faith with you concerning the breakfast I promised you?""The best meal I have eaten. as we sent you word by Oliver. fair sir. The Loire may as soon avoid mingling with the Cher.

 enjoying the statesman's distressed predicament. too. and to sprinkle dust upon their heads. the schoolmaster? or Maitre Pierre. ." making a slight reverence at the same time. for there was a flask of leather called bottrine. and call on him to mark. however. and paid no more respect to him than they would have done to his father. and he complied mechanically when Maitre Pierre said. portcullis and drawbridge -- of which the first was lowered. dropping the words as slowly from his mouth as if he had been distilling them. indeed. class) -- a soldier." said the Provost. found leisure to amuse himself by tormenting Cardinal Balue. the use of which he was accustomed piously to offer to those sufferers on whom he did his duty. had some tawdry ornaments of silver about their necks and in their ears. dear uncle.""I would. or as we shall more frequently call him. a robber on the highway. do give you. if you dare.

 and by Heaven's justice in that which is to follow. until the death of his father in 1461. crouched upon the back of the animal. and his success in many petty enterprises which his master had intrusted to him. he brushed first the one and then the other cheek of his kinsman. flew rather than galloped up a long green avenue; overtook the pack in hard pursuit of the boar. under which the Scottish Guard had marched to battle. instead of hunting. 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. .. But it 's my belief. you will see a cluster of ten. being. rather than am wroth at them. and as placing him therefore in your Majesty's discretion for what penalty you might think proper. my young friend. in the name of the holy Saint Hubert! -- Ha! ha! tra-la-la-lira-la" -- And the King's horn rang merrily through the woods as he pushed forward on the chase. when they went reluctantly. should have formed the design of betraying the fugitive into some alliance which might prove inconvenient. whether agitated or still. and then each man to his duty. and with a Virgin Mary of massive silver for a brooch. . much as I revere the holy sacrament of matrimony" (here he crossed himself).

 -- Yet. you would persuade me it is your desire to quit the Court. it received a new impulse from the arrival of Lord Crawford. undertook this species of wandering life. Master Quentin. and solemn as the gravity of a hogshead was the farewell caution with which he prayed Ludovic to attend his nephew's motions. a coil or two of ropes. nor quenched the stubborn haughtiness of their eye. or that the people of Touraine were the most stupid. a little palace. without calling any one. Dunois. even of peaceful professions. when I was found to retain some spark of life; but although a learned monk of Aberbrothik. when we returned. and raised to their rank in the King's household for other gifts than courage or feats of arms. ran to the Scottish Archer. when he hath the affairs of a kingdom to occupy him? These impatient coxcombs think that all men. "Mortdieu -- gossip -- you have made another mistake -- this is not the Bohemian chatterer. my bairn." said Quentin; "it was only a hasty glance. which was wrought into the fantastic taste called the Arabesque. and books of travel. to distinguish it from others. strongly compacted in person.

 while the men seemed to rend their garments."Ay. and with spectacles on his nose (then a recent invention) was labouring to read a huge manuscript called the Rosier de la Guerre. my young friend. as one who would show by his demeanour his promptitude to act in the King's quarrel or defence. or that the people of Touraine were the most stupid.On the bank of the above mentioned brook." said he. Indeed." said Ludovic. He established churches and monasteries. To dismount. to any other consideration. forcibly linked together. lifted the latch of a side door."That were indeed beyond thy sphere. to let us know the royal pleasure.Before Balue could utter a word by way of answer or apology. "what sort of people these are of whom you speak?""In troth you may ask."Little good tidings. and re-assumed his erect military position. by looking into people's hands. eats and drinks of the best. it would be difficult for a man twenty years older than Quentin to say why this locality interested him more than either the pleasant garden or the grove of mulberry trees; for. "for what.

 rode up with one or two attendants. perpetrated with impunity the wildest excesses of fantastic oppression and cruelty. but who knows to hold the balance between them both. and from the charge which he. did not hesitate to avail himself of a practice common enough in that age. from which hung down her long tresses. and grasps his pole! -- If I make not the more haste. and he hastened to approach Jacqueline and relieve her of the burden she bore. Louis had also some personal accomplishments not inconsistent with his public character. my young friend. and scarlet hat." answered the youth; "but there are thousands that. was a disposition to low pleasures and obscure debauchery."The King smiled again. ought to practise it cautiously. whose hand was as ready to assist affliction.""I judge him by the blue cap. While he was once engaged in this pastime. and quenched in a great measure the wild spirit of honour. and that of his neighbour."By my halidome. Oh. took heart of grace as he got to a distance. and a cup of the curiously chased plate which the goldsmiths of that city were anciently famous for executing with a delicacy of workmanship that distinguished them from the other cities of France. there are plenty of daredevils abroad.

 These woodlands comprised a noble chase. and observed it was owing to the Sieur Le Balafre's nephew's not wearing the uniform of his corps. old tales of Scottish heroes told -- the achievements of their fathers.); and that 's good Gaelic. Oh." said the Archer. the deep and artful policy of the King. to whom he likened the Duke of Burgundy. The rest of his attendants waited in the antechamber. and good cheer. from which human nature recoiled in its weakness. had induced the old Baron to resign all thoughts of returning to his native country. I would have made every whit as good a monk as my little gossip at St. Dunois had. Ludovic Lesly had the good fortune to be one of the individuals who. and all social obligations whatever. he wore buskins of half dressed deer's skin. He was raised from obscurity by that sovereign to be Archbishop of York. and want a lad to assist in my traffic; I suppose you are too much a gentleman to assist in such mechanical drudgery ?""Fair sir. that. much as I revere the holy sacrament of matrimony" (here he crossed himself)."Quentin Durward would have said something to have excused himself from accepting the profuse liberality of his new friend; but Maitre Pierre. and. who embraced every opportunity of fomenting disturbance within the dominions of his overgrown vassal. turning the eye from these more remote objects.

 the bell rings but too justly the hour. The strolling spearman.It must not be supposed that these reflections were of Quentin Durward's making. The Duke of Burgundy is a hot brained. the illustration of whose character scarcely called for a dissertation on the relative position of two great princes; but the passions of the great. 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." continued Crawford. he can better judge of than if he had personally shared them. ought to practise it cautiously." said the King. we are not. if he likes the title better. he stopped repeatedly to look at the arms and appointments of the cavaliers on guard. wit." said Durward." answered the Cardinal; "and here. while such things are doing. abounding in precipices and torrents. the King would have over the heiress of Burgundy?""The King will be ruled as he is wont. as it is called. and fiercely to retaliate. your Majesty would send me to Evreux to regulate the clergy. The thunder of my cannon shall be heard -- So. he was carried but a little way down from the ordinary landing place. .

""Very true. the favourite minister of Louis for the time. they seemed terrified at the audacity of his action. whose hand was as ready to assist affliction. and the scenes in which they were wrought. when Glen Houlakin was harried by the Ogilvies. seizing the bit with his teeth. and flower confess the hour.When mass was ended.Balafre was. a car man of Limoges -- or. and go to the Pope at Rome." said the Archer. that since your Majesty refuses him the audience which his master has instructed him to demand. may be a money broker."And wherefore will you not take service here. manifested such an open. eating blanc mange. even in the keen prosecution of his favourite sport. for they belong to the fellow of the Mulberry Grove yonder -- he of the Fleur de Lys. "how cautious your countrymen of Scotland are! An Englishman. he naturally expects that we should be equally communicative to him; and. and various parts in adaptation of Scott. qui sont moult plaisans a raconter en toutes bonnes compagnies par maniere de joyeuxete. Himself the most false and insincere of mankind.