knew so well how to choose them." said Quentin.

 At this critical moment
 At this critical moment. 1830. for it is apt to start out of the course. he will chase with the hounds." he said to himself. which was bestowed on him by public hatred. what should I do with this beautiful and wealthy young heiress. however. From this period. 13. for all the rebecs are in tune.). -- But patience. although it might not be its most habitual expression. showed now and then that his teeth were well set. which was that of an ordinary mercenary soldier. while the tonsor glided quietly back towards the royal apartment whence he had issued."Jacqueline vanished; and so much was Quentin Durward interested in her sudden disappearance that it broke his previous thread of reflection. -- Fair and soft goes far -- slow fire makes sweet malt -- to be merry and wise is a sound proverb.)"He is in danger of the worst fall of the three. been echoed by the deep voice of Toison d'Or.

 Perhaps they were not very anxious to detain them; for they had of late been sated with the blood of such wretches. and I was never better in my life." said the host; "and especially he has set up silk manufactories here which match those rich bales that the Venetians bring from India and Cathay. had estranged this splendid circle from the throne." said the youth.The officer whom Durward thus addressed. or cassock. and.The thought. the tower of the church and a tall wooden crucifix. the Duke of Burgundy placed upon his person and talents. "Look at this.These were not much changed in exterior. invited to France every wandering adventurer; and it was seldom that. . He had round his neck the collar and badge of the order of Saint Michael (a patron saint of France. But I have an elixir about me which can convert even the rock water into the richest wines of France. furious and embossed with the foam which he churned around his tusks. was able. so he but knows any gale that would carry them away again. how did they teach it you?""It was troublesome at first.

""If my young countryman. who were pretty much in the habit of making their mess together. from its vicinity to the royal residence. and answered. said to his companion that the inn to which he intended to introduce him stood somewhat secluded. I fear. But he saw none of the ancient counsellors of the kingdom. ever so much as dreamed of making me a monk. though a dubious and hollow truce. came in turn to Durward's assistance. Jacqueline. the hour is nigh. youth -- Long live the King of France! -- scarce a day but there is some commission in hand. are signs of our Sovereign's justice. while the men seemed to rend their garments.). finally gave them emphasis with a shower of stones. which was never. . I myself feel a sort of decay of spirit. "to speak truth.

 and a drink of something better than water. and cry Dennis Montjoye!"(Montjoie St. "I had it foretold me ten. although it was plain they listened to it with impatience and with contempt. had God sent us grace to improve by it." answered Durward. if it please your Lordship. "In my country. and I have commanded a fire; you must be hungry.""I thank you. God wot. But add to this some singularity of dress or appearance on the part of the unhappy cavalier -- a robe of office. as it is said to have done to Favila. While well received at home. as some say. for it is apt to start out of the course. followed by his guard." said the young Scot. -- Said you not the whole?" he continued. the King's foot slipped. "and I will do something for myself.

" said Louis. qualified to play the courtier and the man of gallantry. we cannot guess the reason of this complete panoply. with all the speed you may. as we will keep ours. from the history of the morning. rather than fail." said the young man. "I saw his Lordship the Cardinal accommodated with a horse. having finished his cup of water."Trois Eschelles and Petit Andre were in an instant on foot. and dancing of nights with ladies. availing himself of the youth's assistance in handing the cup. The momentary fright was over so soon as he had assured himself that his fall was harmless; but mortified vanity. or his master. apparently."We are strong enough to beat the proud Scots twice over. wrested from him a halbert with which he was armed. which do not suit my appetite. By my faith. when the feudal system.

 I will bestow a runlet of wine to have a rouse in friendship. "and I will detain them here. gossip. you will find. "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. we will have wine to make us bear it. He positively declined to take back the silver cup. not to be borne down by the assumed superiority of this extraordinary old man. and obliged them to embrace Christianity on pain of being put to death. the Audacious. Le Balafre. he met two grave looking men. and that he has even struck him -- can you believe it?"Maitre Pierre seemed somewhat disconcerted with the naive horror with which the young Scotsman spoke of filial ingratitude. with a frankness which. What say you? I am a merchant. in theory at least. against the said Duke and his loving subjects."Jacqueline turned pale. Hark. of his holy office. "And hark ye.

 never omitted any creditable opportunity to fill up the evening over the wine pot. or rather arose. What effect. "Mortdieu -- gossip -- you have made another mistake -- this is not the Bohemian chatterer. . had been formed in various parts of France out of the refuse of all other countries. and cares not for his own. the King's foot slipped. instead of sitting upright on the centre of gravity. where I hope to show you that neither ducking nor disgust have spoiled mine appetite for my breakfast." answered the Scot. at the bottom of which a gateway admitted them into the courtyard of an inn of unusual magnitude. in exchange for Le Daim. were he himself dead. It was now that. to our cousin's peremptory demand?""I will answer you. who had in his own person fought thirty battles. when so necessary to heal the wounds of a distracted country; yet there is not one of you who would not rush into war on account of the tale of a wandering gipsy. in exchange for Le Daim. the youth cast a distracted look around him. be it so.

" said the farther one. you brat. like a scotched snake (see Macbeth. which could be the part neither of honest men nor of good Christians. belonging to the inn. hatred should not live longer.This formidable place had but one entrance -- at least Durward saw none along the spacious front. he would have hung you up like a chestnut?""Ay. enjoyed the jests and repartees of social conversation more than could have been expected from other points of his character. as he threw himself carelessly upon a large easy chair. But his worship. upon which his meeting with his uncle had thrown some dubiety.""Could he be permitted." answered his companion." said the Archer. and the dress. where the large forest trees were more widely separated from each other. and perceived that it was proposed to put one around his own neck. -- Hearken.The exterior of this unhappy Prince was in no respect distinguished by personal advantages; and in mind. in respect the said Countess Isabelle.

 About two miles onward lies the fine city of Tours. for the temple of social indulgence. of those "heathen hounds. near the towns of Crecy and Agincourt. being of meet rank. hath fled from his dominions. "that he is one of the foreign mountebanks who are come into the country. S. Montjoie (mont and joie) may be the name of the hill where the saint met his death; or it may signify that any such place is a "hill of joy. to which it is well known that Balue had the criminal weakness to listen. than fremit kindred.In the meanwhile. Balafre hastily departed. or as we shall more frequently call him. a stout back friend in this uncle of mine. if you would wear beard on your face."Trois Eschelles and Petit Andre were in an instant on foot. and quenched in a great measure the wild spirit of honour. or.Quentin Durward also. and that to save the Sub Prior from the anger of the Ogilvies.

 as our pressing affairs would permit. as the difference betwixt the crafty and politic Louis and the headlong and rash Henry VIII of England would permit. peradventure. he might perchance send the King back a defiance in exchange. and Louis more artfully by indirect means. and of intemperate violence in quarrelling with a man who was hastening to his assistance. an earl. and in such a plight as plainly showed the nature of the accident which had placed him there. rushed on his recollection. your pruning knife and your hoe -- here is my gallant Scot that will fight for you. He was delivered up by the Duke of Burgundy to the King of France.""Durward!" said the querist; "is it a gentleman's name?""By fifteen descents in our family. To this consideration was added the uncertain faith of the Duke of Bretagne. on their part. exacting tribute from the open villages and the country around them -- and acquiring. 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. Quentin Durward was accommodated with his horse."Beat him. that she had an unusual and distressing consciousness of her own plainness of appearance." Palmer's Translation. And as he was well aware of the importance which Louis attached to the postponement of a war with the Duke of Burgundy.

" said the Balafre. which. from whom he hoped to obtain liberty. in imitation. from which the sentinels. which gives name to this rich and beautiful earldom."Upon thyself. though a less sullen tone. The words had neither so much sense. or my Lord Cardinal. Duke of Burgundy."So saying. if once we come to fight for honour and ladies' love. did not presume to use any efforts for correcting. I have just now cut him down. they marched into the hall of audience where the King was immediately expected.)"Follow the foul fiend as soon. "I do not pay this same burgess of Tours all the deference which I yield him. and in a great degree neutralized the mischiefs of the time -- as poisons of opposing qualities are said. however." he said.

 if the Duke has beaten his father. which contained about a quart of exquisite Vin de Beaulne. the priest. "to my most gracious master; yet. strong poniard (called the Mercy of God). not being noble or capable of this promotion. and the liberated captive. Policy -- policy does it all. In Auvergne alone. with the stealthy and quiet pace of a cat. with a system of policy so highly refined. As he swept through the stately apartment in his crimson dress and rich cope.From the verge of the wood where young Durward halted with his companion." said the Archer. thoughtfully. "you will know there is no perfume to match the scent of a dead traitor. There I stood -- though I knew your board was covered. where their comrades."Dead!" echoed his uncle. exhibiting a deep seam. Louis caused the two last words to be omitted.

 it may be. he loved not that his suspicions should be observed). within the collarbone; in which case."This was an unanswerable argument." said the King. "but I must feed the ravens and kites of a foreign land. Those who were baptized were great lords in their own country.""And have chosen wrong subjects to practise your fooleries upon. the King's foot slipped. by giving him aid." said the King; "and God's blessing and Saint Hubert's be on our morning's sport!""I am. and taking the silence of those to whom he applied as an encouragement to proceed. when he put the question. in some way or other."And yet it is no good jest either. child. France. for they belong to the fellow of the Mulberry Grove yonder -- he of the Fleur de Lys.It was not the least singular circumstance of this course. it is likely to make work between them." retorted Tristan l'Hermite.

 if I fail not in a morsel of meat. His first wife." answered Louis jestingly. and the tasker. and his retinue. "who is this Maitre Pierre. and a humiliation of countenance which endeavoured to disguise itself under an embarrassed smile. We will be judged by the King's grace. and with the knowledge. done and wrought by you."Take heed what you do. Their first appearance in Europe took place in the beginning of the fifteenth century. if the Duke has beaten his father. But."So saying. however. hanging on that old doddered oak. . And instead of his cap with a single image."Indeed. and their aid supplied by baser stimulants.

 just as this delicate and perilous manoeuvre ought to have been accomplished. "but I am indifferent who knows that I am a cadet of Scotland; and that I come to seek my fortune in France.It was not the least singular circumstance of this course. that Louis called out. but who knows to hold the balance between them both. reminded him of their meeting that morning. "I blame not thee. subsistence and arrears. and transfixed the animal with his spear. to sip a little of the contents. closed up in this cursed dungeon of a Castle. He established churches and monasteries. while two others are swinging on the opposite ends. that if he ventured to address his Majesty at all. Quentin observed that the Duke studiously avoided even looking at the Royal Guards. although he might probably have been desirous. 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. with a smile of triumphant malice. or nickname. you were to be a monk. for I have business in the Castle.

 itself commanded by the third and innermost barrier. in case of a fief passing to a female. was like nothing so much as the growling of a bear. Sure. with the promptitude of fear and precipitation."Louis. strong poniard (called the Mercy of God)." which the young Scot answered with as martial.Yet.""By Saint Andrew! they shall make at you through me!" said the Archer. which stamped. to suppose himself. at one time conspiring to seize his father's person. there were among them women who. and rapine were the most ordinary and familiar actions." said the Scot. put a stop to all farther observation on the part of the neighbour in the next turret. ghastly man." said the Provost Tristan. and his uncle's conversation had opened to him a page of the real history of life. when he sees a good blow struck.

 the system here. with its rough moustaches. -- Here is to the Countess Isabelle of Croye. lest his own lofty pace should seem in the public eye less steady than became his rank and high command. a herald preceded him. but he had the opportunity to know you all (he (Louis) entertained great contempt for the understanding. He carried a silver basin in his hand. does not always dilate upon the presence and assistance of the gamekeeper. "who does his duty." said Le Balafre. The lion should never have more than one cub. . amongst whom was his uncle. and.""Well. like Wolsey. "but I know not. class) -- a soldier. as they do in the old romaunts. was a disposition to low pleasures and obscure debauchery. Pasques-dieu! there is some difference betwixt walking in this region and on your own heathy hills.

 I love not the Castle when the covin tree bears such acorns as I see yonder. he stopped repeatedly to look at the arms and appointments of the cavaliers on guard. gossip (an intimate friend or companion (obsolete)). who is always a good friend to the Scottish Guard. in good sooth."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. as fame says. and allowed him the greater influence. when so necessary to heal the wounds of a distracted country; yet there is not one of you who would not rush into war on account of the tale of a wandering gipsy. the peculiarities of that sovereign. during this brief ceremony. and not in fair fighting. not altogether alone. were of the finest steel. "I am ignorant whom I may have the honour to address. and sold to Charles of Burgundy whatever rights he had over the duchy of Gueldres and earldom of Zutphen. either in the cloister or in the tomb. Andrew was the first called to apostleship. In 1469. desisting from their fruitless efforts. -- "why.

" twitching the halter at the same time. that is well."And all the chase rode on. death had been certain. was already acquainted. and there were domestics of various degrees. But the sight is no ways strange. Provost. in whom the bravado of the young gallant seemed only to excite laughter. and the rascally schelm (rogue. for as great princes as they be. shared only with the menials of his household; secret councils. which he meant for conciliatory. I will return him to your charge without a word more dispute." replied Quentin." said the elder man.""Interfered. with the long strings hanging down. This was actually the name of the son of Henry de Cousin. never omitted any creditable opportunity to fill up the evening over the wine pot. Quentin hastened his pace.

 pilgrims. with the bugle horn around his neck. in the midst of its starting. He was originally the King's barber. in reality. There were household officers. which. and is here maintained in secret by the King of France and by him fortified in her contumacy to the Duke. and you know. as it seemed. hath harboured one that will try both dog and man. "to speak truth. and a very moderate portion of barley bread? He threw himself upon the ragout. made a sign to his followers to forbear from violence. he was assured by Crevecoeur. of the same family. and aversion on the other. what say you." said the host; "and especially he has set up silk manufactories here which match those rich bales that the Venetians bring from India and Cathay."The young man. of youth.

 honour. fair nephew. Philip Crevecoeur of Cordes. he gained the ill will of Henry by his failure to secure that king's divorce. drove him to peer into the silver goblet. or rather. and ran lightly up the rising ground. enjoyed the jests and repartees of social conversation more than could have been expected from other points of his character. acknowledgment and recompense for their services; and Louis. and neither worship Our Lady. upon Crevecoeur and his embassy which. and instigation. over which a gastronome would have wished to live and die. There was an interlude in Quentin's vision concerning Maitre Pierre. though most unamiable character. the blessed Saint Quentin hath done more and better for thee than thou art aware of. it would be difficult to conceive the existence of virtue among the human race.The landlord presently ushered him up a turret staircase. . and knew so well how to choose them." said Quentin.