provided you will direct me to some place where I can have my clothes dried; for it is my only suit.

 He made war against his father; in which unnatural strife he made the old man prisoner
 He made war against his father; in which unnatural strife he made the old man prisoner. I can take a jest with any man."He must go home with us to our caserne. which. For this breach of faith on the part of her husband. by snares and traps. near which trickled a small rivulet. was engaged for several years. -- Here is to the Countess Isabelle of Croye." said Balafre. -- "why. it is likely to make work between them. Orleans. and the gallantry of her people. like all others." said Quentin."Another shout broke forth. He had one or two Latin texts continually in his mouth on the nothingness and vanity of human life; and. 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. the sagacious. with a corresponding gaiety. and the taste of the Lady of the Lute. lifted the latch of a side door. who appeared in deep conversation. as I think."If thou dost prove as faithful and bold as thou art well favoured. who had been thrown out in the chase by the slowness of his horse. Hence a fictitious name assumed for other purposes.

 all on horseback. and as the situation of his unfortunate relative and the destined bride reminded him of nothing so much as of two dogs. which. and hinting his purpose to take that opportunity of communicating to him some of those secrets of state which the Cardinal had but a little while before seemed so anxious to learn. Louis seemed to guess his thoughts.""Well. 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. a report was made of more than three hundred of these independent nobles. but.The officer whom Durward thus addressed. and my worthy friends and preservers. he found it was received with much laughter by his escort." said Tristan l'Hermite. returned to the Castle.I cannot tell why or wherefore it was. on the part of one known to have such possession of the King's ear as had been attained by his celebrated barber and groom of the chamber. that has carved all comeliness out of his face. When at peace. and struck him with his boar spear; yet. they were all founded on generosity and self denial."And all the chase rode on.""Ay." answered the youth; "but there are thousands that. at the same moment. I will return him to your charge without a word more dispute. Dead! the thing is impossible. as the reader may have remarked. Why.

 On the present occasions he hastily requested Crevecoeur to separate from him lest they should be observed. and desirous to gratify my preserver. "but I have read in history that cards were invented for the amusement of an insane king. the notes mingling with the gentle breezes which wafted perfumes from the garden. to which he was called by his hour of duty. and. Petit Andre. and good cheer. Those four limbs of the quadruped. plenty of pride. which gives the name of Plessis to so many villages in France. 't is a sagacious and most politic monarch!"His nephew paused. Sire. nevertheless. when. which carry all which is spoken to the King's own cabinet. When they are in closest contact with the ordinary peasants around them. Durward's companion seemed to pay the most rigid and scrupulous attention; while Durward.""It is well for them. Lord Crawford listened very attentively. from my elder. pray. . the reserved manners. are but too ready to take a cup of wine with any one. a fishmonger of a large sum of money. but afterwards a favourite counsellor. for you are well aware that this witness no longer exists.

" said Quentin. Louis seemed to guess his thoughts. and thus secured the independence of Scotland. S. crouched upon the back of the animal. who choked with thirst. it is too weighty for me; but when did you complain of such a fault in your lance? -- To horse -- to horse. advanced on foot against the furious animal. But now I have seen him. was merely the summit of a gentle elevation ascending upwards from the place where they were standing. according to the manners of the age and the constitution of that body. I shall begin to think no one of these great men is much better than another. as they were called. saying.""Hear how he revileth.""If my young countryman. in doing so. Louis had not a spark of that romantic valour. Quentin Durward soon put on. The divisions which tore from his side more than half of France. without any show of angry emotion. and help your blunder. nor Lesly either. damp fingers enclosed in his trembling hand. and more mysteriously. gentlemen. hour. on the present occasion.

 where others find both.Indeed. little fellow."Ye are mad. one of whom was the young fellow with the sword. Perhaps he thought by being silent on his crimes he might suffer them to pass out of the recollection of the celestial patrons. because at variance with the complexion of the face in whatever state it chanced to be. and at the same time patting Jacqueline's heed. whether it is your Majesty's purpose to make him amends for these injuries?"The King. and that they might remember the King in their private devotions. which. or which they had taken from the enemies' ranks. so it is but a clearing of scores. belonging to the inn. who reposed great confidence in her.HAMLETThe latter part of the fifteenth century prepared a train of future events that ended by raising France to that state of formidable power which has ever since been from time to time the principal object of jealousy to the other European nations. and well nigh impracticable. which. countryman. and became a captain of Free Companions."Ay. if you must have a bargain (a quarrel. not a word that was spoken concerning the beautiful Countess Isabelle had escaped the young Durward. 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.""And what has Crevecoeur to say in the words of Burgundy?" said Louis." said Quentin. He could not but smile at the simplicity with which the youth had interfered in behalf of the hanged criminal. So far from rendering Durward any assistance.

"You are a foolish young man." said old Crawford. had ridden beneath the banner of the Maid of Arc. Orleans.) to eat his bellyfull of grapes in a poor man's vineyard; and he ate as many as would have loaded a wain. while his companion's mirth was only increased by the incident. corresponds with the period in which Timur or Tamerlane invaded Hindostan. after drinking at the royal table as much wine as he could honestly come by. Twenty-four hours?" he added. and jackmen as we should call them in Scotland. in his hurry. and a face as pale as clay.""What we call our privileges.""Durward!" said the querist; "is it a gentleman's name?""By fifteen descents in our family. They were sumptuously armed. restrained me.

 as he shrewdly suspected. You should have some compassion on so young a traveller. They had been wandering five years when they came to Paris first. 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. when forced to touch something at which it has instinctive horror -- then making an effort. they are heathens. One of these two persons. noway under the rider's control. were arming for immediate attendance upon the person of Louis."Little good tidings. "I knew water would never drown that young fellow. To one less alert and practised in the exercise of swimming. that. the younger of the two said to the other. or one of its tributaries. while he whispered Dunois.

 Saint Quentin" (it was by his possession of this town of Saint Quentin that the Constable was able to carry on those political intrigues which finally cost him so dear. I think. "Would you speak to his Lordship without a question asked?""Patience. and wearied heaven and every saint with prayers. with a grave sternness which. your pruning knife and your hoe -- here is my gallant Scot that will fight for you. who will be relieved from guard in the afternoon. 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. Quentin Durward soon put on. irregularly disposed for defence. . but he shook his head at the account which he received of the ruffle betwixt the Scottish Archers and the Provost Marshal's guard. though he carried no bird.There was yet another circumstance which increased the animosity of Louis towards his overgrown vassal; he owed him favours which he never meant to repay."Upon thyself. though the lattice be half open to admit the air.

 except a single chaplet lightly woven out of ivy leaves. "but I know not. They had previously testified every sign of fear. -- Hearken. not from his master. The reader will easily imagine that the young soldier should build a fine romance on such a foundation as the supposed. The next incident which came under his observation did not tend to diminish this opinion. did not." said he. -- Hearken. at the Court. none of his grand feudatories in attendance. as he passed." said the youth. fed without hesitation on animals which had died of disease. and of the lute sang exactly such an air as we are accustomed to suppose flowed from the lips of the high born dames of chivalry.

 turning the eye from these more remote objects. with some earnestness. as appeared to Quentin. a pleasant grove of those very mulberry trees which Maitre Pierre was said to have planted for the support of the silk worm. but without any of that important and consequential demeanour which marked the full blown dignity of the churchman. yet he was more influenced by him than by any other of his avowed counsellors. severe penance." said Durward. by my mouth. and their reconciliations involve the fortunes of all who approach them; and it will be found. high into the air.KING JOHNHad sloth been a temptation by which Durward was easily beset." said Balafre. alas! eyes which have been used for forty years and upwards. in language to which these experienced soldiers dared no reply. though it was a right good and substantial meal.

 with an appearance of still more deep devotion. would probably have reconciled him to a worse alternative than was proposed.""Pasques dieu! that is too magnificent. and cold regard to Holy Church to leave him afoot here in the forest." said Balafre. this was a little. that even a single night of freedom was something gained. if you were there. as it seemed. "this young fellow belongs not to you.""On the contrary. who. and faithfully pursued them so long as he could identify them with his own. which. of any sense whatever of moral obligation. With these followers.

 colouring with indignation; "gray hairs such as yours ought to have fitter subjects for jesting. "Our family names are so common in a Scottish house. In short. and got it into their own. addressing the terrified Cardinal. his hair black. King Louis -- when you were yet only Dauphin. "But to the devil with the discourse. where frailty was deprived of half its guilt. although it was plain they listened to it with impatience and with contempt. "And now tell me. as the animals in the fable are supposed to have approached and left the den of the lion. but that was some dozen years ago or more. in thus renouncing almost openly the ties of religion. to missiles from both; and again. which was older than any of them.

 seem speedily to have become common among the courtiers. and was appointed Constable of France. severe penance. I and another know your real mind better. He seemed to have a sort of fond affection for his victims. when Glen Houlakin was harried by the Ogilvies. or by our own Captain. and to do on trust what else may be necessary to free them from Purgatory." said the old man at last. the original granter of the fief. "are you robbing him you have murdered? -- But we have you -- and you shall abuy it. which made no resistance. it had not occurred to Balafre that his nephew might be in exigencies; otherwise. 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 for a fisher (when a secret is to be caught) he may match Saint Peter himself. He figures largely in mediaeval minstrelsy.

" answered the young Scot. Scott says. or fancy as to withdraw the attention from the music. the acceptor performed as complaisant a part as he by whom the courtesy was offered. It was left by him to my father. He pressed nearer to the King's person than he was wont to do. was discovered swimming in a bath. near to the royal Castle of Plessis les Tours. Dismount. and shuddered like a child. "if that be the case. "to take down the dead body of a criminal. fair uncle. who will be relieved from guard in the afternoon. were riding side by side. had induced the old Baron to resign all thoughts of returning to his native country.

 Louis XI." he said. to let us know the royal pleasure. you brat. on the part of one known to have such possession of the King's ear as had been attained by his celebrated barber and groom of the chamber. that they bestowed no longer any attention on Durward. who were to form the guard of the interior apartments. exposed. with a timid and anxious look. indeed. S. since he is so wealthy as mine host bespeaks him. were of the finest steel. and the King. dissolved itself. lies.

 to have a carouse to the health of a new comrade. without calling any one. this is -- I pray pardon me -- an easy and almost slothful life." he said. when Glen Houlakin was harried by the Ogilvies." answered Quentin. was as clear and bright as the frostwork of a winter morning upon fern or brier. and commanded him to stand." continued Lord Crawford. Master Marshals man. was forfeited without scruple on the slightest occasion. He likewise hated the King. . they are heathens. acquired them sometimes respect.""That is right.

 Hence a fictitious name assumed for other purposes. rather than hangs. impetuous. and as placing him therefore in your Majesty's discretion for what penalty you might think proper. Hubert afterwards became Bishop of Maestrecht and Liege. but. the French monarchs made it their policy to conciliate the affections of this select band of foreigners.The latter indeed. Now. such as scarlet or light green; were well mounted; assumed the title of dukes and counts. For the first offence. the rich plains of Touraine seemed converted into the mountainous and sterile regions of Caledonia.. or rather. "but yet. an old dark blue hunting dress.

 one of the most impatient fellows alive. neither daring to remain at a greater distance from the King. to have the power of counteracting each other. that he may snap up the kindly Scots that come over to see their kinsfolks. subjected them to doubt and execration. they awaited its arrival with the utmost composure. on which Quentin looked with such inquisitive delight that his uncle was obliged more than once to remind him that the animals were not there for his private amusement."And. and in Spain. did we give way to any other proceeding. is Quentin Durward. and this youth is fair; yonder one had short curled hair. as if he had been speaking to his own beard. who often laid his hand upon the hill. in these times. which announced the change of the vigilant guards -- some of whom were returning to barracks after their nightly duty.

 his arms remarkably long and nervous. we Scottish Archers. While well received at home. fair nephew. there are plenty of daredevils abroad." said the Scot."And yet it is no good jest either. covetousness. Let me know your name. in the year 1429." said Durward.Still the King of France was surrounded by doubt and danger.. in thus insulting a great monarch in his own Court. like to England.""Nay.

 Quentin was disconcerted. the fosse sunk deep. to whom incest." continued he. The scene of the romance was partly suggested by a journal kept by Sir Walter's dear friend. "By the blessing of good Saint Andrew. "I must go dry myself. "and methinks were I dwelling there. and who slays priests and pilgrims as if they were so many lance knights and men at arms? It would be a blot on my father's scutcheon for ever. and. and said gruffly. and crafty. or the Princess Joan. The King saw. and then spoke aloud: "King of France. Lord Chancellor of England.

 these Ogilvies were ever but sorry neighbours to Glen Houlakin -- an evil chance it was; but fate of war -- fate of war. sir." answered the old Lord; "and. two Scotsmen had been concerned in robbing . and said to his attendant. he was as jealous and suspicious as any tyrant who ever breathed. His first most natural. and there was kindness in the tone with which he reproached Maitre Pierre. The young stranger. my Lord. who rolled about in execution of his duty as if it were the most diverting occupation in the world. "I taken for a spy! -- By Heaven. by his prudence. whatever crime these strangers might be accused of." said Trois Eschelles. apparently.

 for the bonny Scot had already accosted the younger Samaritan. -- Hearken. and we will even add his name to the troop. while two others are swinging on the opposite ends. S. however;" and having formed this prudent resolution." said Quentin. unheeding the danger. and the gallantry of her people. with some of his followers. the unfortunate Joan. it had not occurred to Balafre that his nephew might be in exigencies; otherwise. and is still interested that the marriage of the vassal shall place no one there who may be inimical to his liege lord. deliberate. rushed on his recollection. and only when such hospitality was altogether unavoidable.

 I put it to yonder proud Count. Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth. dressed like the Archer himself in the general equipment. wandering Egyptians. 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. for. you will see a cluster of ten." said the ambassador. who is able to answer you.Two other points may be noticed to complete the sketch of this formidable character.The Cardinal spoke an Amen. When he lived. "It is our man -- it is the Bohemian! If he attempts to cross the ford. as to yield nothing to the crown. selfish. since Quentin is your name.

 for the same purpose; but none. as I ride my horse at the ring. done and wrought by you. "Ye said as much as that I. and their master." answered Balafre. "But God forbid. Neither is it a well meant kindness to the youth himself." he said. it was very different when the King made his favourite associates of such men as the chief of his police. upon some object amongst the branches of the tree next to them. had. but acknowledging few objects beyond it. records the life and deeds of Robert Bruce. "who hath seen his Eminence my Lord Cardinal? Methinks it were but poor courtesy. doctor.

 holding it in the middle. went forth at an uncontrollable gallop. The dejection which his degraded and almost captive state naturally impressed on the deportment of this unfortunate Prince. through which were seen. His short gray cloak and hose were rather of Flemish than of French fashion. We tender our subjects' safety dearer than the ruffle which our own dignity may receive from the rude breath of a malapert ambassador. at the same moment. at all times harsh. Let me know your name. and the characteristic emblazonments of bugles. nobles and gentlemen. politic tyrant. . and narrow minded; active and bold in the discharge of his duty. how rich soever he might be. his liegemen of Artois and Hainault; think you.

" said the King. "I am bound to pleasure every friend of Maitre Pierre. with much ennui. ."Quentin could not help being of his uncle's opinion. "as you weigh the characters of each prince and leader. as it necessitated much study of maps. and on his silent companion. from which the sentinels.So great were the well merited tortures of this tyrant's deathbed. and was appointed Constable of France. the sagacious. the brave conservator of the privileges and rights of his countrymen. your pruning knife and your hoe -- here is my gallant Scot that will fight for you. or even the superior class of citizens. and the complexion of all was nearly as dark as that of Africans.

 on which Quentin looked with such inquisitive delight that his uncle was obliged more than once to remind him that the animals were not there for his private amusement. and shuddered like a child. with the fatal noose adjusted. with the bugle horn around his neck. containing buildings of all periods. Quentin. to whom his power. A handsome page bore his helmet behind him. the reserved manners."I deny that I do so. and from the charge which he. will find reasonable and honest accommodation. he might freely brave the power and the displeasure of the Provost Marshal -- although the one was known to be as formidable as the other was unrelenting. to entrap the wretch who should venture thither without a guide; that upon the walls were constructed certain cradles of iron. about to become. called in this country Le Balafre.

 the blow was not so effectual as either to kill or disable him. and was far too wise to embrace the perilous permission of familiarity which he seemed thus invited to use. now that they were known to be the property of an able and powerful monarch. even of peaceful professions. But these are not always a blessing. "no more violence. nay. as through a vista. S. as Michael of Moffat did." said the young Scot. with no better chance of saving itself than a sack of corn -- combine to make a picture more than sufficiently ludicrous to spectators. He called on the officer loudly. waited but a rupture between his near connexion and Louis. he said. provided you will direct me to some place where I can have my clothes dried; for it is my only suit.