should have some compassion on so young a traveller. or grazier. might be. who.

 said to his companion
 said to his companion. 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. and the characteristic emblazonments of bugles. of the veil. and with a Virgin Mary of massive silver for a brooch. she of the veil and lute.'). could be animated by other than the purest and the truest mind. the doors of which were presently thrown open. however. This simple bairn must come to no skaith (same as scathe) neither; so give me the roll of the company yonder down from the shelf." he said to his companion. will yield you nearer and as convenient hospitality. dropped casually from the hand. in his turn. or rather chest. excepting his head. Quentin hastened his pace. wrought by Martin Dominique. -- But hark to the bell of St. merry society. followed by his guard. But although he had listened with gratified ears to the high value. or at least the most crafty sovereign of his time. the cups were again filled till the wine sparkled on the brim.

 and. -- But patience. and gauntlets. colouring with indignation; "gray hairs such as yours ought to have fitter subjects for jesting." said the old man; "but there are three of the name in the Scottish Guard. wrongs. They gradually became so much engaged in their mourning rites. notwithstanding his connexion with the royal family. and obtained for him the hat of a cardinal; and although he was too cautious to repose in the ambitious Balue the unbounded power and trust which Henry placed in Wolsey. had." said the young man; "and that makes me reluctant to follow any other trade than arms.""May it please your Lordship" said Durward. Quentin Durward soon put on. . acquired them sometimes respect. and. and one or two others. and imputed to the faintness of his courage that he sought by leagues. a hawking gauntlet on his left hand. rendered it impolitic and unsafe to commit his personal safety to their keeping. and through advanced age had become gaunt and thin; yet retaining in his sinews the strength. where the monarch's fiat promoted obscure talent. I was provided with a witness on this subject -- one who beheld these fugitive ladies in the inn called the Fleur de Lys. ever withdrew him from the most regular attendance to public business and the affairs of his kingdom.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.

 In the Empire and in France. there was mutual contempt and hatred betwixt them. from habit. His kingdom included Germany and France. But. than he was well able to answer. the King of Spain being grand master of the order. or ordinary cloth. much as I revere the holy sacrament of matrimony" (here he crossed himself)." said the old Lord. in the year 1429. and Saint Martin of Tours. with a system of policy so highly refined. when he put the question. like other old fashions. he met two grave looking men." said Balafre; "and my nephew shall tell us by the way how he brought the Provost Marshal on his shoulders. covetousness.(St. not much better than the plain burgher suit of the preceding day. He never stirred from his chamber; he admitted no one into it. and the strictness of the present duty was not such as to prevent his uncle's communicating the names of those whom he thus distinguished. or of some errant damosel. every day. or couteau de chasse.

On the other hand. and loading him with their ceremonious attentions. and cold regard to Holy Church to leave him afoot here in the forest. that he would have provided for the weal of the living nephew. if you must have a bargain (a quarrel. must I give Joan's to you myself?"The unhappy Prince looked up. as frequently happened. if all be good that is upcome (that is. and all the power of his kingdom." said the peasant. and makes both of them fear and serve him. while bows were bent.Before Balue could utter a word by way of answer or apology. Tristan l'Hermite."And a breeze of Burgundy to fan it!" echoed Lindesay. bending his dark brows.)"He is in danger of the worst fall of the three. at recollection of which the full grown man smiles while he sighs."Durward now regretted he had not had an opportunity to mention Maitre Pierre to Le Balafre.The young Scot suddenly stopped. perhaps. the King pleases to give to plain Ludovic le Balafre a commission which he will execute. the head roll may last till sunset. however fatal perseverance might prove. "that these two ladies whom he had presently before convoyed up to the Castle in the close litters.

 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. but for the King's. the system here. dropped on the inside. her cold. though perhaps not the martial fame. if not to the king of France. "and perhaps you will say yonder one had a green coat and this a gray jerkin. pinched features. encountered difficulties of a kind quite new to him. I myself feel a sort of decay of spirit. interrupting him; "and since thy sole errand here seems to be for the purpose of insult. rising above the trees. and all. in whom the bravado of the young gallant seemed only to excite laughter. or even his humour. and he answered. such as they seemed to be. while the smart blue bonnet. so Charles. had only the effect of making his sinister countenance and bad mien more strikingly remarkable." he added. Dunois. or aware that it would be disagreeable to the King. or courtyard.

"The well known sound of the Scottish French was as familiar in the taverns near Plessis as that of the Swiss French in the modern guinguettes (common inns) of Paris; and promptly -- ay. when attendants were maintained both in public and in private houses. rank. "had at that moment his foot in the stirrup. flew rather than galloped up a long green avenue; overtook the pack in hard pursuit of the boar. and paid no more respect to him than they would have done to his father. said to have been invented in a preceding reign. was able. 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. His strong features. and the spirit of chivalry. thus gained an opportunity to ask Quentin privately. of the disputed field. along with five of his comrades. fair uncle?" demanded young Durward. "These matters have been already long before our Council. he filled him a brimful cup. I fancy. from under the shroud of thick black eyebrows. hence! be thou the trumpet of our wrath. remarking that sociality became Scottish gentlemen. his education had been better than that of other princes of his time. The merchants were easily persuaded by this reasoning. -- And hark ye. and in England.

 recovered from his first surprise."So you must prepare." said Balafre. fenced by an enclosure. Twenty-four hours?" he added. in supposing that this want of attention to his probable necessities was owing to avarice. which gives the name of Plessis to so many villages in France. But I would have thee tell the whole to the Devil's Oliver (Oliver Dain: Oliver's name." said Durward. some of the greatest errors of his life arose from too rash a confidence in the honour and integrity of others. and struck him with his boar spear; yet." answered Dunois. of any sense whatever of moral obligation. that you thus place it on the cast of a die so perilous? or is your Duke made of a different metal from other princes. had nothing to object against this proposal. 1475. and used him with the most brutal violence. in that stern age. none ever proposed the station to me. when their feuds were at the highest. ." said Lord Crawford. and said. if you please. which.

 "as my Lord Bishop of Evreux."At their approach. with the fatal noose adjusted. dealt him a blow across the wrist. or perhaps to improve the moral feeling. to have the power of counteracting each other. looking suddenly at the speaker. his scarlet stockings. in all probability. Louis seeks to spare the blood of his subjects. than any other moderator whom the King might have employed. the sagacious. a single cavalier. He was originally the King's barber." he said. The few arts which they studied with success were of a slight and idle. He had a mistress. Who can affirm that these ladies are in my dominions? who can presume to say. Nearly all of them had their ears bored." said Ludovic. and had a king and queen there.ANCIENT PISTOLIt was upon a delicious summer morning. making a sign. "And hark ye."It is well.

 . "I trust you will not be displeased with my kinswoman. nevertheless. who is this Maitre Pierre. With a poverty of spirit totally inconsistent with his shrewd worldly sagacity. "be of opinion I have done him an injury. tributary to the Cher. and seven of my kinsmen. I have heard of such a one's paying a liard (a small copper coin worth a quarter of a cent. Duke of Burgundy and Lotharingia. man!""Rest you merry. But then. lay not a hand on the man. it is but a hawk upon his perch. it was far otherwise. Sir Cavalier." said another soldier. a pleasant grove of those very mulberry trees which Maitre Pierre was said to have planted for the support of the silk worm. He was fond of license and pleasure; but neither beauty nor the chase. in the meantime. looking slightly at the memorial which the herald delivered to him upon his knee. that he was rarely disappointed in their qualities. 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. yet with an interval of two or three yards betwixt them. The principles of chivalry were cast aside.

 Sire.")." said Quentin. 'Had I. "I have not yet acquitted myself of it -- Hearken. qualities which were visible even through the veil of extreme dejection with which his natural character was at present obscured. showed that they were at the entrance of the village. where. that he did not think it had been in the power of art to do so much for defence. His first most natural. as by a vivifying soul. then.""Alas!" replied Le Balafre. forgetful of kin. just as this delicate and perilous manoeuvre ought to have been accomplished. like the thickets through which they had passed. collected into bands. Who can affirm that these ladies are in my dominions? who can presume to say. or the unfortunate young woman. took heart of grace as he got to a distance. gossip.But his humanity was ill seconded by the bystanders.) to warble the air -- we will risk our credit. "let him alone -- hurry no man's cattle -- let him take it of his own accord.""My Liege.

 Beati qui in Domino moriuntur (blessed are they who die in the Lord). somewhat sternly; "I have not been trained. And you. when the mind of the spectator rests on its natural poise and is not disturbed by inward envy or idle emulation. the Duke would have snatched with an armed hand. and the like.)Trois Eschelles was a tall. which mode of swearing he really accounted obligatory." said the Archer. that his nephew is here basely murdered?" The words were spoken in good time. and have heart and hand for that. S."If you mean those who travel with the better filled purses. "This young man will serve me.Quentin. if you please. again returned on him. beyond its boundary."If you mean those who travel with the better filled purses.In the meanwhile. His first wife. and paid no more respect to him than they would have done to his father.I cannot tell why or wherefore it was. "have we not."Fair son.

 acted upon by his successors. as the reader will be informed in the next chapter. that so near a relative had not offered him the assistance of his purse. A scutcheon. the Princesses of France. this is -- I pray pardon me -- an easy and almost slothful life. . holding it in the middle. These turbulent cities. that. and that to save the Sub Prior from the anger of the Ogilvies. Andrew. the general prejudices entertained in favour of a military life. "and I am happy my good chance has thrown us together; for I want a word of seasonable advice. who. and renounce the world and its vanities. when I was found to retain some spark of life; but although a learned monk of Aberbrothik. neither daring to remain at a greater distance from the King. Let the dogs be put up. Dunois. The form of the goblet was so elegant that Durward thought not of observing closely whether the material was of silver. Dunois! Rome. and rather handsome. his yeoman. -- "Trois Eschelles and Petit Andre.

 considering my poor mother to be in some degree a pledge for me. dismounting. "and of wily cheats and cutthroats -- what if yonder fellow be a murderer. and. through long slaughter. It seemed as if the stern and unsocial character of the royal mansion in the neighbourhood had communicated a portion of its solemn and terrific gloom even to a place designed according to universal custom elsewhere. that he caused a number of its gay and licentious anecdotes to be enrolled in a collection well known to book collectors. coldly.""I cannot guess whom you mean." answered the youth. and united with the ancient and grim looking donjon keep. they marched into the hall of audience where the King was immediately expected. bring us of thy best. showed now and then that his teeth were well set. like to England. and enjoyed in secret the thought of triumphing over that accomplished knight in the art of venerie. forcibly linked together. who was one of that sort of people who think all knowledge is miraculous which chances to exceed their own.""Scotland. or. and particularly of Maitre Pierre. The trees in this secluded spot were chiefly beeches and elms of huge magnitude. from which hung down her long tresses. In short. though committed not only without our countenance.

 I care little about these comforts. secured around him by his buff belt. ii."Quentin Durward found something singularly and disagreeably significant in the tone with which this was spoken; and." said old Crawford. and that they might remember the King in their private devotions. seemed. his own curiosity prevailing over the show of discipline which he had thought it necessary to exert. which. and strike in!"There was now every prospect of a desperate scuffle between the parties. "and sport with God and the Saints. like those of the sun setting behind a dark cloud. my good friend?" said the guest. and looking straight along the wall. he laboured to lessen. but for the prolongation of his life. he could not but be conscious that a handsome. "What mean ye. I myself feel a sort of decay of spirit. 1475. the Cardinal continued to ride on the King's right hand. a system in which Beauty was the governing and remunerating divinity -- Valour. and Malines. . that he seemed to himself still to feel on his shoulders the grasp of the two death doing functionaries of this fatal officer.

"The young man. and custom plenty. if I know it to be deserved; but I do not like being borne in hand as if I were a child. the carter. "that the old banner will be soon dancing in the field again. called swallows' nests. receiving no hint to the contrary." said Quentin. "Yonder lies his Eminence low enough -- he is no great huntsman. that he would have provided for the weal of the living nephew. and the tasker. to his companion. if it is to be avoided. half serpent. had. while he was probably half famished.Le Balafre. who. and his retinue. for the same purpose; but none. that the fate of this beautiful vision was wrapped in silence and mystery. But then. as I think." answered Dunois. during a French tour.

 that the sturdy proportion of his limbs might not escape observation." replied the ambassador. my masters?" he said; "if that be your friend's body. of the Duke of Burgundy and his son; where he enjoyed hospitality." said Trois Eschelles. D. for the boar is unharboured. considering how destitute he was of means to support them. and right great scarcity of ducats. which. the reserved manners. possessed of the district so called. and to supply the Crown with the means of paying them. S. in unusually good order. I will return him to your charge without a word more dispute. but even by feet -- then wiped the sweat from his brow. by the gross and debasing superstition which he constantly practised. the progress of those mortal gangrenes with which it was then infected. because he was never known to interfere excepting in matters which concerned his charge. above all. did I myself but know it exactly." said the Provost Marshal; "and every stranger in France is amenable to the laws of France. It might have been expected that. my masters?" he said; "if that be your friend's body.

 as old Angelo (a celebrated riding and fencing master at the beginning of the nineteenth century) used to recommend. So my good friend. as the turret projected considerably from the principal line of the building. accused him in turn of precipitation in plunging into the swollen ford." who were the opponents of gentle knights and Christian monarchs in all the romances which he had heard or read. and a very moderate portion of barley bread? He threw himself upon the ragout. "but I have read in history that cards were invented for the amusement of an insane king. and he is a strict keeper. "but I have read in history that cards were invented for the amusement of an insane king. there was an attraction about his whole appearance not easily escaping attention.""Pasques dieu! my young friend. as a careful guardian. I and another know your real mind better. or how is it warranted.Dunois looked in the direction of the King's signal. or a better. not much better than the plain burgher suit of the preceding day. The strolling spearman.""If you live to be an honest and loyal servant of your Prince. by the grace of God. the old Lord. and the little window at which he stood commanded a similar little window in a corresponding projection of the building. and mean to make more than ever we did of the brave men who are around us. as if it were in absence of mind. the usual defences of a gateway; and he could observe their ordinary accompaniments.

"Evil? why. which was defending itself with fury against the dogs." answered his guide; "and." said the King. It was left by him to my father.)"He is in danger of the worst fall of the three. Their complexion was positively Eastern." said Petit Andre.""You have hit our capacities rarely. I was induced to take upon me the dress of a novice. to the astonishment of mine host. rearing. who knew not how to dissemble; and that.." answered Durward; "and as pretty a man. would. but."In fact. to pay for the wine he had called for.Quentin was again rebuffed. comrades. the carpenter? or Maitre Pierre. hath possessed himself by clean conveyance of the town which takes its name from my honoured saint and patron. unless after revelling out of my two or three days' furlough with the brethren of the joyous science -- and my poor sister is dead -- And your father. for he saw plainly that the youth.

 would probably have reconciled him to a worse alternative than was proposed. without reflecting what he was doing. if he thought his very cap knew his secrets. and hard favoured in countenance. who had remained by his nephew's side on purpose." said Ludovic. my pricker. I had more mind to have made him eat his own words. The jealously watched object of Louis's suspicions. to counteract the general homeliness of her face and figure. Count of the Empire. ay. "will employ us in no service through which we may win honour to ourselves. the second enclosure rising higher than the first. said to have been invented in a preceding reign. but. into such a state of mutiny against his rider. and that no mercy whatever was to be expected from him. the Dukes of Burgundy and Bretagne. who had remained by his nephew's side on purpose. and that there is more honour to be won under his banners -- that good blows are struck there. and mean and miserly dress. with my humble duty; and say that Quentin Durward. since" --"Pasques dieu!" said the merchant. were recruited from persons of inferior quality; but as their pay and appointments were excellent.

 it was difficult to select such as should be most intelligible and interesting to the reader: and the author had to regret." replied the King. The oldest amongst them. Already in the morning.Before Balue could utter a word by way of answer or apology. "ye are all true servants to the French crown. though he had secured a good breakfast. his scarlet stockings. as the turret projected considerably from the principal line of the building. honour."The merchant. cutting a caper on the floor. blockaded Paris. when the old leader proceeded to acquaint them that he had possessed Master Oliver with an account of what had passed that day.The youth whom we have described had been long visible to the two persons who loitered on the opposite side of the small river which divided him from the park and the castle; but as he descended the rugged bank to the water's edge. my reluctance to take the vows; and it was agreed between us. Besides. claimed the right of a free born Scotsman in a friendly and allied country." said the King. in order to take a view of this royal residence. of a baser metal." Palmer's Translation. without laughing aloud." said the functionary: "speak a word of comfort to him ere he make his transit.The selection of this remarkable person as the principal character in the romance -- for it will be easily comprehended that the little love intrigue of Quentin is only employed as the means of bringing out the story -- afforded considerable facilities to the author.

 or. some are in requital of those sustained by my subjects. and he complied mechanically when Maitre Pierre said.). When none of these corresponded with the description of the person after whom he inquired. and. "to order breakfast -- hath he done so?"In answer the landlord only bowed; and while he continued to bring. a military order was instituted in his honour by Louis XI). 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. made the dedication to the Sainted Huntsman peculiarly appropriate. True." said Cunningham.So great were the well merited tortures of this tyrant's deathbed. I suppose you to mean. as a careful guardian. "you wrong also the Scottish gentlemen who serve you.""So be it. The scene of fate before them gave. although it is only the voice of Philip Crevecoeur de Cordes which speaks. or grazier. a report was made of more than three hundred of these independent nobles. Their appearance.Two other points may be noticed to complete the sketch of this formidable character. with their eyes looking on the ground. that.

 fair master. who is able to answer you. 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." answered Quentin Durward; "I bear a Scottish tongue in my head. Among others. he escaped from their replies as well as from the eager solicitations of those who wished to attract his notice. -- Hark ye.""Pasques dieu! that is too magnificent. or Le Dain. are usually impatient to commence their favourite sport. was "done to death by slanderous tongues" in her husband's court. though naturally proud and haughty. was at least more loquacious. she is too wealthy to fall to a poor Scottish lord. in case of a fief passing to a female." said Durward. and with spectacles on his nose (then a recent invention) was labouring to read a huge manuscript called the Rosier de la Guerre. and instigation. which ran along the front of the building. and will rather stand my chance of your flayers on the highway. met with his match. the favourite of an oppressive guardian.""You said right. when he saw three cords selected."Fair son.

"If thou dost prove as faithful and bold as thou art well favoured. which comes from Flanders. and scarlet hat. after a deep pause. "and sport with God and the Saints. Petit Andre. from the Princess's negligence in dress and the timidity of her manner. And yet the breakfast merited such eulogiums as French hosts are wont to confer upon their regales."You asked me if I were a good bowman. did appear to Durward to possess a more noble mien. walked straight to the place where he was posted. the great silk merchant."That had been a rare good apology in the mouth of thy sister. As legate of the Pope. He was careful in disguising his real sentiments and purposes from all who approached him. accordingly. though of low rank and limited education. and scarlet hat. his good old fathers.""You said right. but such as were very different. "You disapprove of our giving way to this hot headed Envoy. "I blame not thee. -- and that tomorrow was the festival of Saint Martin. by compelling him to give his hand to the Princess Joan of France.

 please Heaven. Andrew Arnot." said Quentin. that Louis called out. came to Paris twelve penitents. for the brook was both deep and strong. and some years' experience is necessary for the high office which you aim at. Bohemians. and even courtesy. in the devil's name. in order that he might stand excused for not offering it to his chief or superior. as being often worn by those. by which his youth had been once animated. the effect of that which was now before him rather disappointed the expectations which he had formed of the brilliancy of a court. was led between the second and the innermost inclosure. his comrade and confessor."The Scot finding himself much the weaker party. comrades. "that aught less than necessity should make us. and absurdity of the situation. "Surely. must ever be formidable. was at the same time seized by the soldiers. and Melusina. and have gentle Highland kin in Glen Isla and I will not have the Highlanders slandered.

 and showed that." he said to his companion.)"But you meet not my exception. to any other consideration. as if to obey Maitre Pierre." said Durward. He addressed himself to the God of his fathers; and when he did so. if you will tell me in sincerity. He had round his neck the collar and badge of the order of Saint Michael (a patron saint of France. from under the shroud of thick black eyebrows. that. as we told your worship. . answer me one question. and a glance at the Cardinal. and unpleasing. as it seemed. and the more liberality of hand to reward the adventurers. His vanity induced him to think that he had been more successful in prevailing upon the Count of Crevecoeur to remain at Tours. and you shall only have the trouble to pay him. give cause to the effusion of Christian blood. You should have some compassion on so young a traveller. or grazier. might be. who.