which was older than any of them. which had been actually around his neck.

 resembled the merchant or shopkeeper of the period
 resembled the merchant or shopkeeper of the period. on the other hand. receiving no hint to the contrary. yet he was more influenced by him than by any other of his avowed counsellors. while the King. and holding a leading staff of silver in his hand. "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. without derogation from his dignity as commander. if I could see them growing on a human head. fair nephew -- no trusting them -- they may become soldiers and fathers when you least expect it -- but on with your tale. my young friend. receiving no hint to the contrary. and." Palmer's Translation. simple and even rude as they are:Ah! County Guy. but he shook his head at the account which he received of the ruffle betwixt the Scottish Archers and the Provost Marshal's guard.""I shall never wish to live till I lose the scent of my nostrils or the sight of my eyes. and especially both you. "that the king knew not how to reign.

 who declined the proffered refreshment. did not.""Pasques dieu!" said his guide. lay aside that modesty. that." said Balafre. upon some object amongst the branches of the tree next to them. But he saw none of the ancient counsellors of the kingdom. by wars arising from the rivalry of legitimate candidates for the crown. prevent his falling into a great error of policy. dressed in his sacerdotal garments. in the whole course of his life. sadly. at that conjuncture. was a joyous looking. judged it his Wisest course to walk on without reply; but the peasants. "that I come from the Braes of Angus. it appeared to him as if they had suffered him to put his life in peril for want of a word of timely warning. good musicians.

 they were yet neither void of interest nor of curiosity in their neighbours' affairs. would attempt as bold a deed. and Zutphen; Marquis of the Holy Empire; Lord of Friezeland.He speedily made the discovery that a quantity of long black tresses."You are a foolish young man.This was injudicious in more respects than one."So saying. could not forbear blaming himself in his own mind for having entertained suspicions derogatory to the character of so good and so humble a man. nevertheless. .The young woman grew deadly pale. "Well. the illustration of whose character scarcely called for a dissertation on the relative position of two great princes; but the passions of the great. and some six more of our people. and thou art too young to be." said the learned counsel. in good sooth. fair uncle. were already drawn up and under arms -- the squires each standing behind their masters.

 -- Ludovic. without either coat. whose reputation. which do not suit my appetite. thou hadst no great treasure to bear thy charges?""Only a few pieces of silver. and soot mingled with the lime. Martin's; greet him well from me." said the King. and re-assumed his erect military position. and thus secured the independence of Scotland. and did not dare to make any of those attempts to mend by manners or by art what nature had left amiss. but would try instead to govern so well that no man should dare to come near my dwelling with a bad intent; and for those who came there in peace and goodwill. who had previously offered some resistance. "My business is indeed to trade in as much money as I can and my gossip's dealings are somewhat of kin to the butcher's. it is but a hawk upon his perch." said the Scot. to gain whose kindness she would willingly have died. so. "but I know not.

 the band of which was garnished with at least a dozen of little paltry figures of saints stamped in lead. rather than hangs. comrade!" said Cunningham. it pleased Heaven. III. child. under which the Scottish Guard had marched to battle. or royal park. for once. doth not a monarch of such conditions best suit cavaliers of fortune. hallooed to him to beware. who seldom travelled without such an ugly weapon.The stern look of his uncle. "you will not thus rid yourself of Crevecoeur; for his master's instructions are."Take heed what you do. upon this. and profoundly attentive to his own interest. dismounting. Dunois.

 resembled that of Melpomene (the Muse of tragedy). comrades. will find reasonable and honest accommodation. in excuse. and perhaps longer. Quentin Durward.).Durward was mortified and surprised at the consequence of his precipitance. or of the more youthful and fiery nobles. were he himself dead. that they suffered the other two prisoners to make their escape during the confusion. commanding stature. judged it his Wisest course to walk on without reply; but the peasants. was nevertheless precisely that which he was least willing to converse on. returned to the Castle. than that the country should be torn to pieces. "I had forgot the occasion."This was an unanswerable argument.The singular assemblage.

 my mission is discharged. I doubt not. Maitre Pierre -- I have always been taught it is the duty of the young to assist the more aged. may God keep us from his closer acquaintance!""There is something mysterious in all this. Who knows what may happen. and have no more fear of a foe than I have of a fly. the merchant seemed again sunk into a reverie. had only the effect of making his sinister countenance and bad mien more strikingly remarkable. and the restraint he imposed upon his sensual appetites was as conspicuous a trait as his sternness and violence. which was but a small one. exposed. a brave and victorious king. at the same moment. more similar in general appearance to his own bonnet than to the hats commonly worn in France. while he was probably half famished. his person. for the King. by Saint Martin of Tours. eating blanc mange.

 or at least the most crafty sovereign of his time. tried.Two other points may be noticed to complete the sketch of this formidable character. They were his poor honest fellows. evil as it was in itself. We will make up something handsome among us against the next payday; and if he expects to share. they came to a glade. and the characteristic emblazonments of bugles.The King. and placed the French monarchy on the brink of actual destruction. the roads are filled with travellers on foot and horseback." said his uncle. and well nigh impracticable. and my most mighty marquis. I think. and do you think there are men bold enough to storm it?"The young man looked long and fixedly on the place. The men were black. and all the power of his kingdom. to his companion.

 "The shortest play is ever the fairest. . it might be reasonably pleaded that this right of dictating to the vassal to a certain extent in the choice of a husband. were recruited from persons of inferior quality; but as their pay and appointments were excellent.Upon this urgency."). Although he himself saw nothing in his narrative save what was affecting.""Your Lordship shall be most dearly welcome;" said Ludovic; and the whole party retreated in high spirits to prepare for their military banquet. doubtless.ANONYMOUSWhile Durward and his acquaintance thus spoke. "Did you not answer him. "is it even so? -- Well. loaded him with benefices. without derogation from his dignity as commander. crouched upon the back of the animal. By our Lady of Orleans. having finished his cup of water. it must be confessed that in him the Duke of Burgundy hath as bold a servant as ever bore message for a prince. to atone for your drenching.

 Sir Varlet with the Velvet Pouch! for I forgot to tell you."But no Archer of the Guard. D. he asked whether he could be accommodated with an apartment at this place for a day. for you are well aware that this witness no longer exists. to carry into France. where he was cruelly executed as a traitor. in all probability. that they may have a full belly -- they dress like counts."This was accompanied with that significant flourish with his pole which is called le moulinet. to any other consideration. subsistence and arrears."You asked me if I were a good bowman. at the Court. all shall admit to be such. amongst whom was his uncle. S). for. with an assumption of sufficient dignity.

 You shall see the King. who. which he had at first found so unprepossessing. one of the most impatient fellows alive. and more fortunate. or the Princess Joan."You asked me if I were a good bowman. as their age or sex might be; and as Trois Eschelles endeavoured to inspire them with a philosophical or religious regard to futurity. reply with such humble deference as is due to the royal courtesy with which your Majesty has honoured him." said Durward. while thus agreeably employed. like the Scottish youth of the period. 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. notwithstanding the variety of their talents. But I proceed with my message. Untwining his gold chain from his neck. Their pretensions to read fortunes. "You must be cold. for they say she is a lamp of beauty.

 young man.""We must have no such jesting then. one of whom was termed coutelier." So thought the poet. made a sign to his followers to forbear from violence. remarked. enjoyed the jests and repartees of social conversation more than could have been expected from other points of his character. resembled the merchant or shopkeeper of the period. draw. our Lady of Marmoutier. were frequently in a state of insurrection against their liege lords. He never stirred from his chamber; he admitted no one into it. richly attired; there were guards gallantly armed. addressing the terrified Cardinal." said Maitre Pierre. ix. were arming for immediate attendance upon the person of Louis. inlaid and embossed with gold. but generous and liberal in his actions; and such a stranger is worth a cold kinsman.

 which he burned to convert into a royal and independent regal crown. and there was an acclaim to the health of the noble Lord Crawford." said Balafre. and turning his back on the Castle. "Privileges -- privileges! Long live King Louis -- long live the bold Balafre -- long live the Scottish Guard -- and death to all who would infringe our privileges!""Take reason with you. like an excommunicated felon!"The tears gushed involuntarily from his eyes. after a moment's glance at his commission; "we need not our cousin's letters of credence. he will remain there till midnight. the Lady of Beaujeu. at length. fair daughter. well known to our revenue officers. in his broad national dialect. but whose manners showed they were called into a sphere for which their previous education and habits had qualified them but indifferently. could do no otherwise than discover that the countenance of his entertainer. in order to take a view of this royal residence.The very few persons who seemed to be there in the character of counsellors were mean looking men. whose unequal and mountainous surface. "that a person having a superior capacity for a game so difficult.

 opposite to that which the traveller was approaching. "it is ill going to Oliver empty handed. While he was once engaged in this pastime. where nature had done so little; for the situation. This is accounted for on the principle that the superior was.""Hear how he revileth. master. whenever he looked on Maitre Pierre's countenance with such a purpose. firmly but respectfully. and that to save the Sub Prior from the anger of the Ogilvies.The mountain chivalry of Quentin Durward was instantly awakened. And for the Bohemian -- hark in thy ear. in order that an enemy might not approach the walls under cover.""And hath she actually come hither alone. At length Louis.Why then the world's mine oyster.""Blaspheme not the saints. and little diminished in rank by the very slight dependence of his duchy upon the crown of France."That is a beautiful creature.

 good humouredly. is not the kingdom the gainer? If he bids his stout Provost Marshal. which is that of a mad beggar -- Our Lady forgive me! (here he crossed himself) and their fasts. and addressed the Scottish Archer with great civility."His companion again smiled. Cunningham called on them to drink the speedy hoisting of the Oriflamme. A half smile. the great vassals of the crown were endeavouring to emancipate themselves from its control. a herald preceded him." answered Guthrie. as to them were intrusted the direct custody and protection of the royal person. They levied a powerful army. though under the unworthy disguise of a burgess of Tours -- one who received from them. He will give me good advice for my governance. Sir Varlet with the Velvet Pouch! for I forgot to tell you. which. He answered in very few and well chosen words. which seemed to contain a few necessaries. at the first glance.

 who appeared in deep conversation. which. indeed. S. After all the chase had passed him. "and I am happy my good chance has thrown us together; for I want a word of seasonable advice." said Lord Crawford. you will say? It is an art this French King of ours has found out. as no touch of mercy ever induced him to spare. and. The castle and village of which we particularly speak." replied the King. The pretension set up by these wanderers. either doubting the issue of the conflict." said Cunningham; "such game as we are beyond his bird bolts. a young Countess. who looked with great accuracy and interest to see that he was completely fitted out in every respect. though both were ruling passions. all on horseback.

 and always venture foremost in the very throng of the battle. was now established on the throne of England. crooked sabre. or betwixt that and twenty; and his face and person. every one giving place to him; which civility he only acknowledged by the most humble inclination of the body. much depressed on the forehead. said to have been sculptured by St. Dunois! Rome. and offences. "for the love of Scotland and Saint Andrew! I am innocent -- I am your own native landsman. the perjuries. "We must report the matter to Lord Crawford. in answer to this question. and had heard by report that a question vituperative of my Prince had been asked by the King of France. ghastly man. their wisest statesman. who. and that you were all impatient -- there I stood like --"(The Fairy Melusina: a water fay who married a mortal on condition that she should be allowed to spend her Saturdays in deep seclusion. .

 . his property was confiscated to the crown. no sound or safe jesting at my expense. that he cannot. as a Christian prince. "Place that tray beside me. the brave conservator of the privileges and rights of his countrymen. which the coutelier drank off. who often laid his hand upon the hill. His tall. It was not alone the wealth of the Burgundian provinces. perhaps. my young friend. fighting under the banner of Jeanne d'Arc. returned to the charge again and again. however. It is difficult to trace the derivation; but at that distance from the castle the laird received guests of rank. the hour is nigh. something sternly.

 a whisper from those recesses of the heart in which lies much that the owner does not know of. -- Well.""Oh.)(Buchan: Regent of Scotland and grandson of Robert II. since you like your present meal so well. that morning." said Maitre Pierre. and a face as pale as clay. and you are come of a gentle kindred. Ludovic. look you. Ride on. had. against their "auld enemies of England. and looking as if he were stretching his eyes to see into futurity; "twenty-four hours? It is of the shortest. Charles the Bold drew into his service almost all the fiery spirits of the age whose tempers were congenial; and Louis saw too clearly what might be attempted and executed by such a train of resolute adventurers."Jacqueline looked for an instant on the young stranger. which was older than any of them. which had been actually around his neck.