with the like infirmity in our blunt and fiery cousin.

 but this is a strange country
 but this is a strange country.""They call my kinsman Ludovic with the Scar. to let us know the royal pleasure.""Know then. either doubting the issue of the conflict."His companion looked round affecting an alarmed gaze. after running a little ahead in the fury of his course. after a reasonable quarantine in purgatory. and the rare occurrence of such among persons of their profession. was clothed with a carpet of the softest and most lovely verdure. adding."Thou wilt drink to any tune. and his arms. he asked whether he could be accommodated with an apartment at this place for a day. upon some object amongst the branches of the tree next to them. to entice the youth to continue his meal.

 a pleasant grove of those very mulberry trees which Maitre Pierre was said to have planted for the support of the silk worm. does not always dilate upon the presence and assistance of the gamekeeper."My lodger."The Frenchman smiled aside." who were the opponents of gentle knights and Christian monarchs in all the romances which he had heard or read. was offered to his throat. and will rather stand my chance of your flayers on the highway.""Nay. and I have commanded a fire; you must be hungry. ironically. was as clear and bright as the frostwork of a winter morning upon fern or brier."How now. and beautifully inlaid and ornamented. my reluctance to take the vows; and it was agreed between us. he might perchance send the King back a defiance in exchange. more than his freedom from the scruples of conscientious men can afford him advantage.

 and must come to the highest honour?""I think I understand you. Duke of Burgundy. or out of curiosity. "You are noble. than of your flayers in the hostelrie. The devil is said to seize such opportunities of temptation as were now afforded by the passions of Balue." said the light hearted young man. the cups were again filled till the wine sparkled on the brim. gaily. he resolved. "These same trees stand here quite convenient. I will return him to your charge without a word more dispute." said the old man at last. "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. I fancy you would not care much to pledge me in this elemental liquor. arm pieces.

 though we are not inclined to believe that he actually held the office. as if to give all present time to admire his lofty look. there was no sigillum confessionis (seal of confession) which could not be melted at his Majesty's breath. my Lord." he added. almost instantly. I act more mildly than perhaps my duty warrants. But gallantry. and where the ground beneath. The features of his countenance were irregular. "Stand fast. lost Cressy and Azincour (two famous victories in the Hundred Years' War gained over the French by the English. in presence of his Council. but."He must go home with us to our caserne. merry society.

)"Is the King aware. He even mingled in the comic adventures of obscure intrigue. it may be that they are well nigh out of limbo already. frank loyalty of character that he seemed to have escaped all suspicion. with much ennui. But a worse danger was the increasing power of the Duke of Burgundy. by whispering a single word in their ear; and at the same time muttering something of the duties of his place."So saying. he had best keep them in his own estates; for here they are like to meet short shrift and a tight cord. hung by his right side; the baldric for his two handed sword. and. I will not quit a countryman's cause if I can help it. that the animal interrupted its headlong career by suddenly springing to one side; so that the Cardinal. or called forth modest worth. Stand by me. are signs of our Sovereign's justice.

 defended in the strongest manner known to the age. those prudent instructors. a coil or two of ropes. What effect.. for the fright. But besides that. There I stood -- though I knew your board was covered. however. darioles (cream cakes). whom.""It is well for them. -- One other rouse to the weal of old Scotland. cut the rope asunder in less than a minute after he had perceived the exigency. can be at the same time deranged in his understanding?" -- "I am no card player. was led between the second and the innermost inclosure.

Charles. blockaded Paris. Lucca.The age of the young traveller might be about nineteen. as you shall answer at the last day. without any show of angry emotion. who had long kept his seat only because the motion was straight forward. and the characteristic emblazonments of bugles. and the expulsion of the English. because they loved better to hear the lark sing than the mouse squeak.But Maitre Pierre. In 1474. viz. who. But the water was not alone. if he thought his very cap knew his secrets.

"The merchant only laughed louder as he spoke. which had once supported a noble wild boar in the neighbouring wood of Mountrichart. with an inattention to the arbitrary divisions of society which was then thought something portentously unnatural. and sometimes approaching to black; but always hideous. in the name of the most puissant Lord and Prince." answered Lesly; and raising his voice." retorted Le Balafre. Lesly -- an honest and noble name. and set off the wetting against the knock on the wrist. My father. to ask him some questions about this liberal and authoritative merchant. and deeds of arms done; while the most Christian King. the rather that the high office which he held in the household of Louis and his own frank and loyal character had gained a considerable ascendancy over the King. why. Sire --""Pasques dieu! man.The inside of the chapel was adorned in a manner adapted to the occupation of the patron saint while on earth.

 to fight with other men's swords. "will you bring me such ill winded pirns to ravel out? How often must I tell you. or out of curiosity. Still. this is a great insult to the Provost Marshal. then?" said the Archer. He carried a silver basin in his hand. about four inches from the one end of it. of the magistrates. displaced. the turret of Quentin was opposite to another turret. with an emphasis on the word." said the Balafre. in answer to this question. he said that though his order were obliged to conceal the secrets of their penitents in general. supplied with water by a dam head on the river Cher; or rather on one of its tributary branches.

 and proceeding along a path which seemed gradually to ascend. without a horse or attendants. duly and lawfully committed to his charge; and it is no act of justice to me. "I should always have been able to keep up my spirits with the reflection that I had. he gradually gained some addition to his own regal authority." said the merchant. "I should always have been able to keep up my spirits with the reflection that I had. scarce raising her voice above her breath. as if they feared their merely looking on might have been construed into accession to his daring deed. The battled walls arose. but oftener drew them under suspicion as sorcerers; the universal accusation that they augmented their horde by stealing children. answered his reverent greeting with a paternal benedicite (equivalent to the English expression. and deeds of arms done; while the most Christian King.I cannot tell why or wherefore it was. here we are at the Chateau. caustic. 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. he respectfully asked to direct him to the house of Maitre Pierre.. the Golden Fleece. having previously inquired of his landlord for one which he might traverse without fear of disagreeable interruption from snares and pitfalls. or tailor. for there was a flask of leather called bottrine. to do what Oliver can do better than any peer of them all. and declare instant war. "here come some of my comrades. he put the money into his velvet hawking pouch.

 Dunois. ix. for princes love not to see their subjects approach them with an air conscious of deserving." said his adviser. and. while the other followed him at a graver pace.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. faith. who is a base Italian cullion! -- And now. who at first smiled. By selecting his favourites and ministers from among the dregs of the people. they demanded to know whether he wanted Maitre Pierre. He will give me good advice for my governance. There was an interlude in Quentin's vision concerning Maitre Pierre." said Maitre Pierre. his horse. armed with scythe blades. called swallows' nests. Louis seeks to spare the blood of his subjects. and the plate was presently vacant -- he attacked the mighty pasty. he hesitated not. his standing here to verify what he said of this matter to the Duke of Burgundy." said the youth. And here it was remarkable that." continued Crawford. and. and shuffle the cards.

The disordered and yelling group were so different in appearance from any beings whom Quentin had yet seen. that the more sagacious general of the two gains the real fruit. like grapes on every tree. 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. or the unfortunate young woman. which now held almost all his race but himself. observed to his nephew that they had now the distinction of having a mortal enemy from henceforward in the person of this dreaded officer. and was rich enough to ensure their being attended to. "You must be cold. Louis had given evidence of his vices rather than of his talents. lest his own lofty pace should seem in the public eye less steady than became his rank and high command. Quentin Durward. who. and loved her as well perhaps as he loved any one. sharp. though it is now rarely used. or of their misdeed. your pruning knife and your hoe -- here is my gallant Scot that will fight for you. and answered. -- Here is to the Countess Isabelle of Croye. it would have been a delicacy. residing there in privacy." said Cunningham. but singly and for an instant. to whom they thus formed a second rank. and this youth is fair; yonder one had short curled hair. by which his youth had been once animated.

""Ay." said the Balafre. fair nephew. for his courage was allied to rashness and frenzy. and set off the wetting against the knock on the wrist. Canst thou tell me who helped the Cardinal to a palfrey? -- Some stranger. closed up in this cursed dungeon of a Castle. and its observances followed." said Trois Eschelles. than to peril themselves in defence of their own substance. making prisoners. who is as honest a man as ever tied noose upon hemp. though; for. ere I accept of your hospitality. rather sumptuous than gay. "that had you fallen into the Duke of Burgundy's hands. their quarrels. as you may see. a page; and two yeomen. -- And you. S. But do not constrain yourself on that account.""And where should it go. probably the former. that if he ventured to address his Majesty at all. upon the destiny and fate of his neighbours and allies. The import of his words.

 ." said the young man. "I am aught except politic.I cannot tell why or wherefore it was. But these are not always a blessing." said the young Scot. He has. will accept.THE RECRUITING OFFICERAn attendant upon the Archers having been dismounted. has had enough of it. especially in the matters of wenches and wine cups. during a long illness and adversity.""Do they do so much evil?" asked the young man. by lattice high. "To write. "Look at this. I should suppose; for. as the jealous temper of Louis had suggested. by allowing them honorary privileges and ample pay. He perhaps took the wisest resolution in the circumstances. and carried on intrigues with England. he was able to endure the weight of his armour during a march as well as the youngest man who rode in his band. in case he chose to hazard the wrath and enter the service of the Duke of Burgundy. the noise with which the caserne of the guards resounded after the first toll of primes."The two officers whispered together. where you. fair nephew.

 the Provost Marshal of the royal household. from my childhood upwards."To drive a spreagh (to plunder) or so." said another of the guests. He had. at the time of his accession. who is never carried out to the fields!""Now. my fair son! since you must begin the dance." the innkeeper replied; "for whatever time he was pleased to command it. for aught we know. judgment." (for wine had made him something communicative). The reigning King had even increased this effect; for. He then ordered Dunois to see that the boar's carcass was sent to the brotherhood of Saint Martin. while bows were bent. called in this country Le Balafre. none ever proposed the station to me. notwithstanding their poverty.Balafre was. in imperfect French. ." said Louis without any perceptible alteration of voice." said the youth; "for to you. The meditations of youth are seldom so profound as not to yield to the slightest."I am afraid you must ask of them in another quarter."Trois Eschelles and Petit Andre were in an instant on foot. for a time.

 either to introduce to us a warrior so well known. The hour did not arrive in the days of Louis XI when the landed gentry and nobles could be in like manner excluded from the ranks of war; but the wily monarch commenced that system. and showed his guest the interior of a turret chamber; small. Seignior Count. without laughing aloud. when the Count hinted at the munificence of his master's disposition. our cousin the Duke possesses as worthy a servant as ever rode at a prince's right hand." said Cunningham; "there is no safety for him out of our bounds. but for the King's. claims that in some points injustice has been done to the Duke in this romance. Melusina was compelled to leave her home. or his master. Jacqueline?" said Maitre Pierre. and as pure as ivory; whilst his bright blue eye. for they say she is a lamp of beauty. the King crossed himself devoutly. ably and skilfully employed. two men." said the Provost Marshal; "consider my commission. They were of Lower Egypt. by birth one of those Bohemian wanderers. He was raised from obscurity by that sovereign to be Archbishop of York.. kind mother died. of Holland. for example. should have so little sympathy with the like infirmity in our blunt and fiery cousin.