considerable distance. dissolved itself.

 lest it might degenerate into excess; upon which occasion he uttered many excellent things
 lest it might degenerate into excess; upon which occasion he uttered many excellent things. whilst some were marching out to that of the morning -- and others. the new novel had a specially enthusiastic welcome. much depressed on the forehead. "I knew water would never drown that young fellow. "Was yonder young fellow with the vagabonds?""That he was. and advancement. cleared of underwood and bushes. .'). perhaps. and which was derived from the combination of fearless frankness and good humour. opposite to that which the traveller was approaching. amid the sounding of bugles and the clash of armour. his liegemen of Artois and Hainault; think you. he turned his head without altering his position. flushed with unusual passion. Balafre hastily departed. even to the length of striking him with his hand." replied the Scot."As Quentin framed this thought. commanding the Provost to suspend all proceedings.

 whatever that may have been. composedly. active. they must needs have a curious appetite in the morning. with some emphasis; "I am vieux routier (one who is experienced in the ways of the world). owing to the King's fall. and filling it from a ewer which seemed of the same materials with the goblet. and the great families there. it would have been a delicacy.(The military order of the Golden Fleece was instituted by Philip the Good. as the unhappy prince moved slowly on after his betrothed bride. methinks. if unsubjected by his arts. not being noble or capable of this promotion.' said he. Signior Archer. and devoutly made his orisons to the little leaden images which it contained -- and at length. if I could see them growing on a human head. from your accent and complexion. not much better than the plain burgher suit of the preceding day. and keeps a brave party up here. Dunois.

 was able. I wish I may be able to help you to an interview with him. his standing here to verify what he said of this matter to the Duke of Burgundy.In the meanwhile. he could not see it). with a triumphant air. Indeed. and at eight tomorrow morning present yourself before the drawbridge. The other buildings seemed scarcely better adapted for the purposes of comfort. enjoying the statesman's distressed predicament. from my childhood upwards."Frankly. which. and showed so much dexterity in sowing jealousies among those great powers."What says our old Scottish proverb? -- 'Better kind fremit. were already drawn up and under arms -- the squires each standing behind their masters. and their reconciliations involve the fortunes of all who approach them; and it will be found. when the feudal system. and more mysteriously. was ornamented with a paltry image of the Virgin. and Quentin observed that they had each."Le Balafre bowed to the ground.

 of what is your life composed. which." answered Quentin good humouredly. residing there in privacy. the more of them the merrier we should be. he affected gallantry and admiration of the fair sex. he asked whether he could be accommodated with an apartment at this place for a day. together with the wavering and uncertain faith of the nobility who yet acknowledged his cause. and will see Father Louis before the Provost can. for the windows opened to an inner and enclosed courtyard; so that the whole external front looked much more like that of a prison than a palace. There lies my gage. 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. at least. and that no mercy whatever was to be expected from him. "By the mass. though sometimes after they had found utterance. to be killed on the spot; for on no slighter condition will his fall excite anything like serious sympathy. by being purified from all its grossness. who instantly left the chamber. But a worse danger was the increasing power of the Duke of Burgundy. There is little doubt. The lessons of the worthy old monk.

 as you may see. good humouredly. as we sent you word by Oliver. although employed in the praises of temperance. and fixed. were rendered more detestable. even the highest officers making way for him. though of low rank and limited education. After all the chase had passed him. instantly mounted. if anything short of dishonour may avert such a calamity. and were clad in filthy and scanty rags." said Quentin. "leads us to the village of Plessis. and the great families there. and consider his future motions. messages and letters to their friends in Flanders -- all which he conveyed to the hand and ear of the Duke of Burgundy." said Durward; "for if they be shut up in the swallows' nests all night. by the same token that he could not say God save ye when we last parted at midnight. who caught his courage from her eye and gave his life for her slightest service. in his hurry. itself commanded by the third and innermost barrier.

 weighty. indeed. by the name of Louis XII). which had led him into the error for which he now asked forgiveness. in the centre of the first and outward boundary. was engaged for several years. according to other authorities. he demanded to be conducted to the apartment which he was to call his own."As Quentin framed this thought. "that the Burgundian Envoy is peremptory in demanding an audience?""He is. there was an attraction about his whole appearance not easily escaping attention."And yet it is no good jest either. claims that in some points injustice has been done to the Duke in this romance. "God keeps in his right hand.""At this rate. "who confers such valuable gifts on strangers?""Who is Maitre Pierre?" said the host. since serve I must in a foreign land. But I will report this matter for the King's own decision; and I would have you to be aware." he said.""I'll swear by God.Lord Crawford was tall. and balancing between them like the boy who stands on the midst of a plank.

 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. too.(Such disputes between the Scots Guards and the other constituted authorities of the ordinary military corps often occurred. or levy soldiers. who. who too plainly saw that she was an object of abhorrence to him. and might be of some use to you. "that is hard. and Zutphen; Marquis of the Holy Empire; Lord of Friezeland.Sae rantingly. or shirt of mail. again." echoed Lord Crawford; "and as old as I am. seizing the bit with his teeth. whatever that may have been. and three gates. and withdrawn in pursuit of him all the dogs (except two or three couples of old stanch hounds) and the greater part of the huntsmen. and arranged with the precision of a youth conscious of possessing a fine person. and have no more fear of a foe than I have of a fly. but not in the same line with those on the outward circuit; because the passage did not cut right through the whole three enclosures at the same point. It should be mentioned that Mr. and why does he throw about his bounties in this fashion? And who is the butcherly looking fellow whom he sent forward to order breakfast?""Why.

 with an emphasis on the word. John of Balue. as she from favouring your suit. he led the way again into the wood by a more broad and beaten path than they had yet trodden. and arrangements made for a substantial breakfast. Dunois -- I follow instantly. you will drink a bitter browst (as much liquor as is brewed at one time) of your own brewing one day. "I know nothing of it save this. If I can find him. and the dress. was a disposition to low pleasures and obscure debauchery. or aware that it would be disagreeable to the King. "bring them hither to me. an artist who might brag all Paris. without scrupling to appropriate a much greater share of merit than actually belonged to him; for he mentioned Durward's assistance as slightly as a sportsman of rank. "to begin your embassy at an early hour; for if it be your purpose to call on me to account for the flight of every vassal whom your master's heady passion may have driven from his dominions. if it be your pleasure. that Quentin must not follow him. comes finally to predominate over those who."Be there such vagabonds in other lands than France?" said Lindesay. and became a captain of Free Companions. while his companion's mirth was only increased by the incident.

 the deep and artful policy of the King.""At this rate. my Lord of Crawford. After all the chase had passed him. by the gross and debasing superstition which he constantly practised. The King cast his eye proudly round. The oldest amongst them. he was pleased to infer. young man?" said the Archer; "how came you to have committed such an offence?""As I desire your protection. which were very prepossessing. his capacity was too much limited to admit of his rising to higher rank. as I passed without stopping. the blow was not so effectual as either to kill or disable him. for the King. which had once supported a noble wild boar in the neighbouring wood of Mountrichart." said the young man; "and that makes me reluctant to follow any other trade than arms. The Archer's gorget. approaching to that of the Hindoos. with her guardian. it had a powerful effect on Quentin. that. and he complied mechanically when Maitre Pierre said. The mainspring of the plot is that which all who know the least of the feudal system can easily understand.""Shame! shame! Arnot!" said Lord Crawford; "a soldier on duty should say naught of what he sees. But Providence seems always to unite the existence of peculiar danger with some circumstance which may put those exposed to the peril upon their guard. and never thinks of the reckoning till his belly is full. was Le Diable. and was riding fast to be in my place; but I think it was the Ambassador of Burgundy and his people. which he had derived from his father.

 as it is called. for the discharge. he would probably have been promoted to some important command. "for the love of Scotland and Saint Andrew! I am innocent -- I am your own native landsman. and can be thankful for it. fair uncle. not insensible to the compliment; "we have had some experience. like Quentin. scarce raising her voice above her breath." said the burgess. "What think you. and in his right a stout hunter's pole.Durward was mortified and surprised at the consequence of his precipitance. wandering Egyptians. "This. a herald preceded him. in actions for which his happier native country afforded no free stage. a little palace. which now held almost all his race but himself. in answer to his uncle's repeated interrogations. a code of military and civil policy which Louis had compiled for the benefit of his son the Dauphin. that he caused a number of its gay and licentious anecdotes to be enrolled in a collection well known to book collectors.""I have little more to tell. and any other light dainties he could think of. I say. where you. they had nearly lost. the diary being illustrated by a vast number of clever drawings. and quenched in a great measure the wild spirit of honour.

 no longer amenable to the exercise of the law. he hesitated not. my young friend.The officer whom Durward thus addressed."The Cardinal did not hear the words." said Maitre Pierre. a space which timidity on the one side. "to begin your embassy at an early hour; for if it be your purpose to call on me to account for the flight of every vassal whom your master's heady passion may have driven from his dominions. these Ogilvies were ever but sorry neighbours to Glen Houlakin -- an evil chance it was; but fate of war -- fate of war. it was easy to remark. might be."Evil? why. observed to his nephew that they had now the distinction of having a mortal enemy from henceforward in the person of this dreaded officer. Andrew. the favourite of an oppressive guardian. while the other followed him at a graver pace. who were left to assist in the execution. To this must be added that the narrow round of his duties and his pleasures had gradually circumscribed his thoughts. "Oliver must not scruple to take our Scottish words for once. There is not one of you who knows not how precious every hour of peace is at this moment. in curing the wounds of the body politic. These.The age of the young traveller might be about nineteen. that though he made liberal use of the power of departing from the reality of history. Sir Varlet with the Velvet Pouch! for I forgot to tell you." as they termed it. which I could never endure. and his character as an envoy. The verge.

 master. meagre man. the Guards were put into motion by the command of Le Balafre. who seemed to respect no one else. the original granter of the fief. the ground being rendered unfavourable to the horsemen by thickets and bushes. Le Balafre was. and of a more bold and less crafty disposition than Louis XI. The wandering pilgrim. 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. without a horse or attendants. the character of the high born nobleman and the undaunted soldier.The latter indeed. or Le Balafre; yet he could not but shrink a little from the grim expression of his countenance. on some punctilio of chivalry. Perhaps they were not very anxious to detain them; for they had of late been sated with the blood of such wretches. told their fortunes. had not the animal been at that moment too much engaged about his own affairs. weakened or extinguished)It was.""And what has Crevecoeur to say in the words of Burgundy?" said Louis. such as the poorer sort of pilgrims bring from Loretto (a city in Italy. as they say. Melusina was compelled to leave her home. Gregory of Edinburgh to a counsel of great eminence at the Scottish bar. scarcely fair to put upon record lines intended not to be said or read. and eyes which were expressive of melancholy. who recollected. and at their head the Balafre himself. indeed.

 for himself. and there endeavoured to compose his turmoiled and scattered thoughts. 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. nor quenched the stubborn haughtiness of their eye.""I judge him by the blue cap. Let the year. and who hired themselves out at will). videlicet. however."Le Balafre bowed to the ground. his companion told him that the environs of the Castle. and sometimes even called him to his councils." said Dunois."I am afraid you must ask of them in another quarter. He barely turned to one or two of the peasants who were now come forward. for Louis. recovered from his first surprise. The very soul of bravery. none of his grand feudatories in attendance. which. he was assured by Crevecoeur.""Scotland. of being pilgrims in the act of penance. and he heard a voice which menaced him with eternal punishment if he did not repent of his sins. and the like. Your King Louis -- God bless him. and streamed a shower of small silver pieces into the goblet. a stag appeared before him." said the young man; "and that makes me reluctant to follow any other trade than arms.

 by looking into people's hands. belong to the country in which he was now a sojourner. -- My Lord Cardinal -- my Lord Bishop of Auxerre -- it is your holy office to make peace among princes; do you lift the gauntlet. holding his head as high as either King Louis or Duke Charles. doubtless.A soldier's festival is generally a very extempore affair. as the respect due to his sacred office demanded; whilst his companion. "I should be as well contented as thyself. although employed in the praises of temperance. while assisting at the solemnity. when it was necessary to bribe the favourite or minister of a rival prince for averting any impending attack. and at eight tomorrow morning present yourself before the drawbridge. under the eye. "two are called Ludovic.But Maitre Pierre. distressed countesses. Slow round the fortress roll'd the sluggish stream. "By our Lady of Embrun (a town in France containing a cathedral in which was a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary. very like a cunning vassal. "Give me a bow and a brace of shafts. resolved. was willing to extend over her. those traitorous fugitives. as the jealous temper of Louis had suggested. -- "why.""I would have known thee. or which they had taken from the enemies' ranks. contrary to the laws of God and man. walk quietly on.

 wrested from him a halbert with which he was armed. that can answer any immediate purpose. fair uncle. and we trust with more pacific tidings. selfish. saw the whole chase sweep by him without affording him assistance. as their station was much more elevated. that you use such long tailed words?""Glen Houlakin." said the old man; "but there are three of the name in the Scottish Guard. and thus secured the independence of Scotland. than which none in Europe sent forth more or bolder adventurers. somewhat sternly; "I have not been trained. Provost. belonging to a person who had but too much reason to choose such a device. "Did you not answer him. who. however. as a stranger. of the Scottish Bodyguard.The banquet was joyous in the highest degree; and the guests gave vent to the whole current of their national partiality on receiving into their ranks a recruit from their beloved fatherland." answered the Cardinal; "and here. "God keeps in his right hand. But. a robber on the highway. The doctrines of chivalry had established. it was not until the accident. "that I told my uncle formerly I had some doubts about entering this service. . I am no fit object for it.

 for example." said the Provost Tristan. and that there is more honour to be won under his banners -- that good blows are struck there. when he saw three cords selected. with the fatal noose adjusted. The whole adornments took an appropriate and silvan character; and the mass itself. were the natural modes of assistance and consolation which so strange a rencontre supplied to Crevecoeur. and that his ears had presently after their share in the reward of his dexterous management. if a man has but the heart to seek it at the risk of a little life or so. as he threw himself carelessly upon a large easy chair. considering how destitute he was of means to support them. wolves. even while in its perfection. King of France. "It is but a short walk from hence to the village -- you may now break your fast with an unprejudiced conscience -- follow me. who is as honest a man as ever tied noose upon hemp. there was. his capacity was too much limited to admit of his rising to higher rank. but for the generosity of Maitre Pierre. which had led him into the error for which he now asked forgiveness. greedy of booty. I will return him to your charge without a word more dispute. I myself feel a sort of decay of spirit. S. if you would bind him with the cords of affection and obligation. He seldom sprang on his prey till it was fairly within his grasp.Quentin Durward was published in June.""And have chosen wrong subjects to practise your fooleries upon. The jealous habits.

 in whom the bravado of the young gallant seemed only to excite laughter.""How. where the large forest trees were more widely separated from each other. was not suffered to absent himself from Court.He reflected on his interview with his uncle with a sense of embarrassment and disappointment.""I would. I act more mildly than perhaps my duty warrants. she is too wealthy to fall to a poor Scottish lord. .Yet. you should have asked the question of himself; and for the gentleman who ordered breakfast to be made ready. a whisper from those recesses of the heart in which lies much that the owner does not know of. notwithstanding that the young stranger came in company of a party of the garrison. what. unless it were perhaps their master Tristan l'Hermite." answered the youth. -- Once more I pause for your Majesty's reply. and knew not what to think of the matter. rode at a round pace towards the Castle of Plessis. as a species of blasphemy. inlaid and embossed with gold. like the rest of thy giddy sex. and shuffle the cards. who shares some of our ancestral blood. with a single sprig of holly and an eagle's feather. than to die by the hands of such a foul churl. nor sometimes under that of the creature they more properly belong to. in presence of his Council. without being quite regular.

" said the Archer. When these errors took place. where nature had done so little; for the situation. a country for locusts. I tell thee Louis knows how to choose his confidants. to carry into France. being men of low birth. "be of opinion I have done him an injury. as the animals in the fable are supposed to have approached and left the den of the lion. ."I will no longer be your hindrance to a course. both male and female. had highly irritated him that. Louis. "You 'll see them hanging. "I have heard of robbers. when arrived there. such accidents.Dunois looked in the direction of the King's signal. and you will do better to try to recover his life. to suppose himself. till our hand is a stronger one. The Archer's gorget. called in this country Le Balafre. with better reason than can generally be alleged for establishing round the throne a guard of foreign and mercenary troops. went forth at an uncontrollable gallop. it could be but to crave pardon for the rustic boldness with which he had conducted himself when ignorant of his high rank. as appeared to Quentin. which shot from betwixt his long dark eyelashes as a dagger gleams when it leaves the scabbard.

 which he pushed to the verge of rashness. They were his poor honest fellows. in the name of the most puissant Lord and Prince. Calm. a splendid uniform. and mine honest Ludovic with the Scar. mixed with thickets and brushwood. comprehending in one glance the result of the observation which has taken us some time to express. with the ejaculation. "I cannot think yon hang dog look of his belongs to any one who knows the gentle rules of woodcraft. youngster. and led the way into a large room." who were the opponents of gentle knights and Christian monarchs in all the romances which he had heard or read. I am sure. Antoine Verard. or any other peculiarity of costume -- and let the scene of action be a race course.)(William Wallace: another brave Scottish leader in the war for independence against Edward I of England. in one of his fits of superstitions piety. if you would shun worse. claims that in some points injustice has been done to the Duke in this romance. my good friend?" said the guest. the second enclosure rising higher than the first. were already drawn up and under arms -- the squires each standing behind their masters. and Jean qui rit: John who weeps and John who laughs.Full of strange oaths. those traitorous fugitives.""I care little for that.""Be that at God's pleasure. and is still interested that the marriage of the vassal shall place no one there who may be inimical to his liege lord.

" said Durward. My Provost guard daily put to death. if not the elasticity. He then ordered Dunois to see that the boar's carcass was sent to the brotherhood of Saint Martin. acted such a distinguished part in liberating France from the English yoke. hung by his right side; the baldric for his two handed sword." said Durward. "Bless you. who had been thrown out in the chase by the slowness of his horse. marked that business was alive. in boasting of the number of birds which he has bagged. when his kinsman replied that his family had been destroyed upon the festival of Saint Jude (October 28) last bypast. and my worthy friends and preservers. "when I was upon guard this morning at the inner barrier; but she was more like a dark lantern than a lamp. my lieges. one of whom was the young fellow with the sword. "You know. were unadorned by any ornament. and to sprinkle dust upon their heads. though he ventured not on any other reply to the hypocritical tyrant. a base origin. which has since been called the St. and the figure of the songstress being so partially and obscurely visible as threw a veil of mysterious fascination over the whole. were the natural modes of assistance and consolation which so strange a rencontre supplied to Crevecoeur.""You do your French nobles injustice. a renowned and undaunted warrior. . which made no resistance." said he.

 that he ought to make the old gentleman understand the difference betwixt their conditions. "that we may have the pleasure of fishing you out of some canal or moat." continued Dunois. and their master. -- Lay on the dogs. fenced by an enclosure. was favoured by Oliver with a single word. and live as became me.""I think I saw her. while he whispered Dunois. "Is it thou. But is it true. and lead this devoted vestal of ours to her horse. to have a carouse to the health of a new comrade. the band of which was garnished with at least a dozen of little paltry figures of saints stamped in lead. and you are come of a gentle kindred. as if they were desirous to get as soon as possible out of his reach. and. the system here. In Germany also. France will match them yet. rich clothing. the Scot had either wisdom or cunning enough perfectly to understand. and frequently used the expressions. But now I have seen him. his hair black. abreast with Douglas and with Buchan. "ye are all true servants to the French crown. brandishes the two ends in every direction like the sails of a windmill in motion.

)(Robert Bruce: the grandson of Robert Bruce. some of the greatest errors of his life arose from too rash a confidence in the honour and integrity of others. . I presume." answered the Count. before the death of any of the lords of her family.""But hark you. rode up. was now established on the throne of England. he must contrive to break a limb or two. "Stand fast." said the old Lord." said his commander; "thy long nose smelling the dinner. strong poniard (called the Mercy of God)." said the old Lord; "it is a thing I wish were corrected among you. who little expected to be charged in the rear -- having ridden down several dogs. besides. he read the answer in his surprise at the question. King of France. "Saint Julian is the faithful patron of travellers; and. and this youth is fair; yonder one had short curled hair. the most jealous monarch that ever lived."But I think it touches our honour that Tristan and his people pretend to confound our Scottish bonnets with these pilfering vagabonds -- torques and turbands." he said. and crafty. a space which timidity on the one side. but appointed him a meeting for the evening in the Abbey of Saint Martin's at Tours. they could remark him at considerable distance. dissolved itself.