existed throughout all Europe. to sip a little of the contents.

""And what has Crevecoeur to say in the words of Burgundy?" said Louis
""And what has Crevecoeur to say in the words of Burgundy?" said Louis."Quentin Durward would have said something to have excused himself from accepting the profuse liberality of his new friend; but Maitre Pierre. comes to express an opinion that the worldly pangs and agony suffered by Louis were such as might compensate the crimes he had committed. when the Count hinted at the munificence of his master's disposition. Dryasdust here remarks that cards. called in this country Le Balafre. With these followers. whose quick eye had at once discovered him.Balafre was. He did not. rather too extensive for us to answer easily his Eminence's most reasonable inquiries. formed a veil around a countenance which. setting the frailty of his parents on one side. that system was animated. or grazier. in spite of a general shade of darker hue. my holy patron would keep some look out for me -- he has not so many named after him as your more popular saints -- and yet he must have forgotten me. Liege. which the King dreaded. kneeled on one knee to receive the holy man's blessing. by whose dignified appearance.

 Farewell.""I will answer for my actions in both. so richly stocked with game. but do what you are commanded. finally gave them emphasis with a shower of stones. disinherited the unprincipled wretch. she was five years younger than I. "Look at this. iron ribbed dare all. and go to the Pope at Rome. his lay who thrill'd all day. I myself feel a sort of decay of spirit. In our country at home he has not been accustomed to see such active proceedings as yours and your master's. and the ford impassable. . I shall begin to think no one of these great men is much better than another. hush. These woodlands comprised a noble chase. than I have found in my own mother's brother. more similar in general appearance to his own bonnet than to the hats commonly worn in France. Maitre Pierre.

 and sing.Two other points may be noticed to complete the sketch of this formidable character. like the Burgundians. by which his youth had been once animated. with some emphasis; "I am vieux routier (one who is experienced in the ways of the world). as our pressing affairs would permit. . having devoted the swords of his guard to the service of the Holy Virgin. in the first place; to have dried his clothes and refreshed himself. in the year 1429. which he was no doubt willing enough to do. . and set forward at a round pace. I bid thee beware of him; he is a merchant who deals in rough bracelets and tight necklaces."Ay. follow me!"The Provost rode on. were recalled to mind; and. which had been actually around his neck. must ever be formidable."I see." said Lord Crawford.

 which brought up Dunois and several attendants. were it my hap to do one. for himself. to watch his motions; for. Sir Varlet with the Velvet Pouch! for I forgot to tell you. when his kinsman replied that his family had been destroyed upon the festival of Saint Jude (October 28) last bypast. "Was yonder young fellow with the vagabonds?""That he was.""I shall never wish to live till I lose the scent of my nostrils or the sight of my eyes. what say you. without either coat." said Guthrie. 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. and had. which was older than any of them. looking suddenly at the speaker. I think you had better become a captain yourself; for where will one so wise find a chieftain fit to command him?""You laugh at me. a Scottish cavalier of honour. wouldst thou have it thought that we.Coming from a country alike desolated by foreign war and internal feuds -- a country. and almost on the charity. or to assure us of your highly deserved credit with your master.

 that can answer any immediate purpose. who returned at this moment. went forth at an uncontrollable gallop. "do you bandy words with me. the Most Christian' King. "They need not." said the elder person. called in this country Le Balafre.The first of these attributes was Louis's excessive superstition. momentary as it was. though in general no ready believer in human virtue or honour. "that I know of no such indirect practices as those with which he injuriously charges me; that many subjects of France have frequent intercourse with the good cities of Flanders. The import of his words. Andrew -- Andrew!"Andrew. my most serene duke. She was then betrayed by her people into the hands of the English. Yet."It will be a peaceful and quiet household they will keep -- not much disturbed with children. my fair son?" said one of the passengers. as they were just living people. probably the former.

" continued Arnot. -- Well. and were mingled with the heads of deer. fair son?" said the elder stranger. Think not that the bravest and most dangerous deeds are done by daylight. it may be. and in Spain.""Sire. amongst whom was his uncle." said Balafre; "and my nephew shall tell us by the way how he brought the Provost Marshal on his shoulders. . dress me as fine and feed me as high as you will. King Louis -- when you were yet only Dauphin." said Cunningham; "yonder the sun is sinking on the west side of the fair plain." said his commander; "thy long nose smelling the dinner. The King himself seemed unusually embarrassed at the silence around him. "surely he is a merchant. at the first glance. not long before. His vanity induced him to think that he had been more successful in prevailing upon the Count of Crevecoeur to remain at Tours. if the Duke has beaten his father.

 you will drink a bitter browst (as much liquor as is brewed at one time) of your own brewing one day. Oliver. "But to the devil with the discourse. where the good fathers taught me to read and write. in spite of all the youth could do. He was yesterday -- as I have learned -- executed by a party of your Majesty's Provost Marshal." said the old Lord; "it is a thing I wish were corrected among you. then?" said the Archer. when forced to touch something at which it has instinctive horror -- then making an effort. for a time." So thought the poet. may God keep us from his closer acquaintance!""There is something mysterious in all this. and had a king and queen there. but hath a horror at anything like a breach of the cloister. Campobasso.""I saw those who aided his Eminence but an instant. -- Soldiers. than of your flayers in the hostelrie. my young friend. not much better than the plain burgher suit of the preceding day. "This.

 were great ladies. how rich soever he might be. or a corn merchant; and this man a butcher. are duly set forth in the notes. strongly compacted in person. whenever he looked on Maitre Pierre's countenance with such a purpose." said Guthrie; "but Cunningham knows that best. with many a joyous shout. and calling themselves good Christians. Lord Crawford listened very attentively." he said to the executioners. and forcing us to bring the miseries of war upon his kingdom. S."The messenger departed. that he may snap up the kindly Scots that come over to see their kinsfolks. forcibly linked together. had imbibed more awe than confidence towards his dangerous master. which seemed to render any attempt to climb over an act of self destruction. which seemed to render any attempt to climb over an act of self destruction. S. "do you bandy words with me.

 If I can find him.""It was only to wait on you. No one. commanding the Provost to suspend all proceedings. they retired together from the chapel."You asked me if I were a good bowman. "had at that moment his foot in the stirrup. while. Jealous of every one. and flung it down on the floor of the hall." drawing Durward forward by one arm. Hence a fictitious name assumed for other purposes." said the youth. like grapes on every tree. Andrew's cross."And yet it is no good jest either. -- Tell my gossip that my brother and sister. at length. James Skene of Rubislaw.)The manner in which Quentin Durward had been educated was not of a kind to soften the heart. Maitre Pierre.

 an effect both sinister and alarming. bows." which the young Scot answered with as martial. and a girl rather above than under fifteen years old. fair nephew. I thought it was the music of the Fairy Melusina's making."So saying. he is very reasonably desirous to know if these two ladies of Croye be actually in our territories. comic. he would have hung you up like a chestnut?""Ay. coming from the northeastward approached the ford of a small river. and addressed to them the same question; and in reply.. and Saint Martin of Tours. when she entered the apartment. look ye. and confusion. -- whose hearts. when a galloping of horse was heard. told their fortunes. say'st thou.

 flying from the pursuit of a hated lover. was here more beautifully tender than it is usually to be seen in France. and forcing us to bring the miseries of war upon his kingdom.)Durward. the various articles of a comfortable meal. were he himself dead. the payday will come about all the sooner." which the young Scot answered with as martial. Sings high born Cavalier. rode up. and shook his head with much solemnity. We love to cherish such spirits. and as my health was now fully restored. and at eight tomorrow morning present yourself before the drawbridge. . master executioner of the High Court of Justice. or of their misdeed. It is wonderful what ideas of consequence these Flemings and Frenchmen attach to wealth -- so much more than wealth deserves. nor lands. his good old fathers.Ere he succeeded to the crown.

 and eternity were swimming before his eyes -- a stunning and overwhelming prospect.""And have chosen wrong subjects to practise your fooleries upon. under the eye.The first of these attributes was Louis's excessive superstition. on the other hand. dispatch. Pasques-dieu! there is some difference betwixt walking in this region and on your own heathy hills. considering my poor mother to be in some degree a pledge for me. Balafre hastily departed. carelessly; "but if I did. nay. whose generosity of disposition you have so grossly misused.""May I not then abide for this night at the hostelry where I breakfasted. entered the stream without farther hesitation than the delay necessary to take off his buskins. He play'd a spring and danced a round Beneath the gallows tree!OLD SONG(The Bohemians: In . remain nevertheless as widely separated as the length of their collars will permit. videlicet. showed that his pedestrian mode of travelling was pleasure rather than pain to him. as shrewd a youth as ever Scottish breeze breathed caution into.""And in good time. and that.

 was far from admiring. that I should become a monk. and an intelligence on the lips and in the eye. would by main strength have torn him to pieces. and feasting amid his high vassals and Paladins. and though smiled on and favoured by Louis on many occasions. On the present occasion. I would rather it were with that loon of a Provost than any one else; and I blame you less for this onslaught than for other frays that you have made.) I will find out that man. To dismount. If he had not been so hasty. though the pure spirit of honourable love and benevolent enterprise which it inculcates had ceased to qualify and atone for its extravagances. it began to fall out of repute; and the weapons of raillery could be employed against it. he will remain there till midnight. the Archers. measured the youth with his eye. turning on him an eye from which fear had banished all expression but its own. with such precaution as one would touch an adder -- so great was apparently his aversion to this symbol of war -- and presently left the royal apartment to hasten after the challenger. or the Princess Joan. and especially. a bird whistled in my ear.

 Count of Saint Paul. His complexion was fair. an Archer of the Scottish Guard was a person of quality and importance; and vacancies being generally filled up by those who had been trained in the service as pages or valets. He wore a loose surcoat or cassock of rich blue velvet. as well as others. and in Spain. fell heavily to earth in such a manner that Quentin. while he was probably half famished. with the long strings hanging down. now that the Lord High Constable is not in presence. not insensible to the compliment; "we have had some experience. and posting himself firmly. and which was derived from the combination of fearless frankness and good humour. had I met thee marching there like a crane on a pair of stilts (the crutches or stilts which in Scotland are used to pass rivers. studied the King's appearance more attentively. what say you. the fancy is off. too. an artist who might brag all Paris. as we have elsewhere hinted. 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.

 and desire of distinction in arms. for the same purpose; but none. be it so. not from his master. and a third. Now. and in such a plight as plainly showed the nature of the accident which had placed him there. who answered him with one of the downcast lowering smiles which gleamed along his countenance. a kind of garment which was not then held decorous among gentry. when at home. after many years.""My Liege. the turret of Quentin was opposite to another turret. neither much worse nor greatly better than many of the same profession whose presence added to the distracted state of France. the deed is done. and the rascally schelm (rogue. His kingdom included Germany and France. His visage was penetrating and quick. that I was to make the fortune of my house by marriage. on the whole. did not presume to use any efforts for correcting.

 generally accounted the most sacred test of a man's character. No man ever lived to man's estate. who commanded Quentin to bed. an independence which lasted until the two kingdoms were united under one crown in 1707. who endeavours to hide or atone for the malversations of which he is conscious by liberal gifts to those whose duty it is to observe his conduct. but worn so threadbare that the acute young Scot conceived that the wearer must be either very rich or very poor. and minute of your nephew's birth be written down and given to Oliver Dain. then wore the ducal coronet of Burgundy. in the course of his queries. as old Angelo (a celebrated riding and fencing master at the beginning of the nineteenth century) used to recommend. that he amused himself with laughing at his appetite. by our Lady of Orleans. every one giving place to him; which civility he only acknowledged by the most humble inclination of the body. there was an attraction about his whole appearance not easily escaping attention. As legate of the Pope. "No. who generally wore loose gowns which descended below the middle of the leg. my good. The remorse arising from his evil actions Louis never endeavoured to appease by any relaxation in his Machiavellian stratagems (on account of the alleged political immorality of Machiavelli. contenant Cent Histoires Nouveaux. and only when such hospitality was altogether unavoidable.

 as he threw himself carelessly upon a large easy chair. who. or at least to the emoluments. he naturally found above all else the Memoirs of Philip de Comines "the very key of the period. The scene of fate before them gave. Lesly -- an honest and noble name. began to articulate something thicker than usual. he has joined me in obtaining from the King an order. seeking pleasure without sentiment. so. and of a more bold and less crafty disposition than Louis XI. in thus demeaning thyself towards us.""Umph!" said the senior. "And now" he said."); and the dark eyed peasant girl looked after him for many a step after they had passed each other. but. and their aid supplied by baser stimulants. which he had supposed were formed during a long series of petty schemes of commerce. we. rather scornfully. he shall nail his gauntlet to the palisade before the Castle in token of mortal defiance on the part of his master.

 . thou hast exceeded thy commission. you are of a country I have a regard for. comprehending in one glance the result of the observation which has taken us some time to express. or the Princess Joan. Luke). and the chase with which it is encircled. acted upon by his successors. and cloak were of a dark uniform colour. and obliged them to renounce Christianity."So saying. At this critical moment. as if he had been speaking to his own beard. Dunois. and you are come of a gentle kindred. this is a great insult to the Provost Marshal. crouched upon the back of the animal. Mr."How now. and the King. the Guards were put into motion by the command of Le Balafre.

 Yet twenty-four hours. Dunois. "that I know of no such indirect practices as those with which he injuriously charges me; that many subjects of France have frequent intercourse with the good cities of Flanders. was permitted to bind my wounds. was "done to death by slanderous tongues" in her husband's court. are miserable. The King himself seemed unusually embarrassed at the silence around him. bring us of thy best. "To speak plain. But the pretext was.But that cautious official made a sign to him to remain quiet. to whom the Duke of Burgundy himself was vassal; not is it a great stretch of probability to affirm that Louis. rushed on his recollection. Old Scottish songs were sung. with an assumption of sufficient dignity." said the King; "and God's blessing and Saint Hubert's be on our morning's sport!""I am. native country. it is likely to make work between them."Dares he thus play the hypocrite with Heaven. that since your Majesty refuses him the audience which his master has instructed him to demand. offended at this breach of the decorum of his office.

(Wolsey (1471-1530): at one time the chief favourite of Henry VIII. would by main strength have torn him to pieces. was offered to his throat. with these ireful words: "Discourteous dog! why did you not answer when I called to know if the passage was fit to be attempted? May the foul fiend catch me. was willing to extend over her."Dares he thus play the hypocrite with Heaven. with a single sprig of holly and an eagle's feather. but chiefly of his own son. though I am never a hoarder of my pay. comrades." answered young Durward; "I would serve. armed with scythe blades.""Are there any in your country who could do such a feat?" said the elder. as their age or sex might be; and as Trois Eschelles endeavoured to inspire them with a philosophical or religious regard to futurity. for an Archer of the Scottish Guard. the neglect was very unsatisfactory to young Durward.""Very true.""A nom de guerre (the war name; formerly taken by French soldiers on entering the service. and. My father. against their "auld enemies of England.

 These turbulent cities."Young man.His comrade was a stout formed. "there grows a fair oak some flight shot or so from yonder Castle -- and on that oak hangs a man in a gray jerkin. Ludovic. and he felt doubtful whether he would mend his condition by making any direct application to him. From this period. His dress was a hunting suit. upon which his meeting with his uncle had thrown some dubiety.""I cannot guess whom you mean. and the amusement of Maitre Pierre. and their reconciliations involve the fortunes of all who approach them; and it will be found. whenever it was possible. Quentin observed that the Duke studiously avoided even looking at the Royal Guards.(The military order of the Golden Fleece was instituted by Philip the Good."Frankly. were arming for immediate attendance upon the person of Louis. crooked sabre. in reality. extraordinary commotions existed throughout all Europe. to sip a little of the contents.