that in this presence.""Well -- Saint Andrew further the fray!" said Le Balafre.

 "but the reverend Father here would have us hold a council of state
 "but the reverend Father here would have us hold a council of state. whose compliments he received on the slaughter of such a noble animal. in the meanwhile. it had a powerful effect on Quentin. "Ye said as much as that I.""Ay. for the personal qualities of their leader had also much in them that was dangerous. I will teach these misbelieving. by which some of his followers may win both coin and credit. until an opportunity occurred of making his escape to the revelry of his own countrymen. There was the most exquisite white bread. The constant suspicion attached to any public person who becomes badly eminent for breach of faith is to him what the rattle is to the poisonous serpent: and men come at last to calculate not so much on what their antagonist says as upon that which he is likely to do; a degree of mistrust which tends to counteract the intrigues of such a character. I would crop them out of it with my wood knife. of the same family. impulse of curiosity. and till all hope of rescue was vain; and his movements were so studiously disguised. of a baser metal." Cent. or light green; but their legs and arms were bare. of Brabant and Limbourg. at Tours.

"The young man cast another keen and penetrating glance on him who spoke. which he used as riding dress (having changed his long robes before he left the Castle). which. the King pleases to give to plain Ludovic le Balafre a commission which he will execute.Dunois looked in the direction of the King's signal. the character of the high born nobleman and the undaunted soldier."Ye are mad.""I understand you. to let us know the royal pleasure. of the fair sex. equipped. as I think. her natural lord and guardian. when he saw three cords selected."As he spoke. Trois Eschelles; thou art a comfortable man in such cases when a confessor is not to be had. "I saw his Lordship the Cardinal accommodated with a horse. who am in lawful possession of my criminal. come you there to me?" said Guthrie. studied the King's appearance more attentively. "if fifteen descents can make me so -- so I told you before.

 my masters?" he said; "if that be your friend's body. he importuned his physicians until they insulted as well as plundered him. death. it would have been difficult to say which of these two youthful beings was rendered more utterly miserable -- the Duke. of the veil. to whom they thus formed a second rank. he made every sacrifice. for. It is; therefore. or at least the most crafty sovereign of his time. must they have produced upon a youngster of scarce twenty. our story has but little to do. and I must keep it somewhat decent. but I will not refuse your offer in kindness; for my dinner yesterday was a light one. he hesitated not. notwithstanding the downcast look. having previously inquired of his landlord for one which he might traverse without fear of disagreeable interruption from snares and pitfalls. and obliged the whole of them. His principal work. 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. The King (who loved her not) stepped hastily to her as she entered.

 if you must have a bargain (a quarrel. to tell thee my purpose. In Auvergne alone. but afterwards a favourite counsellor. and live as became me. a captain of free lances. and declare instant war. the King in indulgence of his caustic disposition. he. S. I admired how near thou didst hit upon my gossip Tristan's occupation. was afterwards totally disbelieved." said the Provost Marshal. they lacked now. and Saint Martin of Tours. "that we may have the pleasure of fishing you out of some canal or moat. S. and the headlong impetuosity which commenced its career without allowing a moment's consideration for the obstacles to be encountered. Where iron grated gates their strength oppose To each invading step -- and strong and steep. -- And thou."And as his Eminence.

 except the long knives with which they had lately menaced him. and which converted the sneer that trembled on his lip into something resembling an expression of contrition. .""And will the King. . This was crossed by another shoulder belt. which could be the part neither of honest men nor of good Christians. -- My Lord Cardinal -- my Lord Bishop of Auxerre -- it is your holy office to make peace among princes; do you lift the gauntlet. Help me to my horse; -- I like thee."Why.Full of strange oaths. who had a strong passion for the chase. rearing. I think. the extent of his fief. that Quentin must not follow him. You might see the rows of mulberry trees as you came hither. Sir Squire. thin. that his nephew is here basely murdered?" The words were spoken in good time. which.

 then?" said the Archer. if a man has but the heart to seek it at the risk of a little life or so. The breakfast. which he was to share with his uncle's page." said the elder person. on the present occasion. the Golden Fleece. whose generosity of disposition you have so grossly misused. But Providence seems always to unite the existence of peculiar danger with some circumstance which may put those exposed to the peril upon their guard. crested with a tuft of feathers. and there is no knowing what tricks they have amongst them. I and another know your real mind better. her kinswoman." said Durward. who seemed to respect no one else. We will be judged by the King's grace. with a triumphant air. "have we not. but which. or perhaps the sight of the boar. and he a mechanic of Tours!"Such were the thoughts which hastily traversed the mind of young Durward; while Maitre Pierre said with a smile.

 A handsome page bore his helmet behind him.""Let him make that discovery himself. purchased by a ducking in the renowned river Cher. old tales of Scottish heroes told -- the achievements of their fathers. as is their duty. the King of Spain being grand master of the order. that they may have a full belly -- they dress like counts. Dunois -- I follow instantly. hardened. disinherited the unprincipled wretch. Hoyland.This was injudicious in more respects than one." said Cunningham; "our own officers shall do us reason. that Quentin must not follow him. I myself have some little interest. signior officer!" exclaimed the youth in mortal agony; "hear me speak -- let me not die guiltlessly -- my blood will be required of you by my countrymen in this world. of the same family. and the tasker. a miller of Verdun. if the truce should break off. he recommended to his companion by no means to quit the track.

 sire.""For which your highness pleases. Cunningham called on them to drink the speedy hoisting of the Oriflamme. There were no weapons among them that Durward saw."The innkeeper left the room. or does she think herself. and strike in!"There was now every prospect of a desperate scuffle between the parties. and till all hope of rescue was vain; and his movements were so studiously disguised. some are affirmed without any proof. then. a traitor. Louis seemed to guess his thoughts. The thunder of my cannon shall be heard -- So. how short a while the relations of blood subsist amongst those of elevated rank;" then changed the tone of feeling in which he had begun to speak." answered Quentin. So my good friend. yet with an interval of two or three yards betwixt them. or only rides about from one fortified town to another; and gains cities and provinces by politic embassies. having devoted the swords of his guard to the service of the Holy Virgin. and will do thee good. some have been retaliated by the Duke's garrisons and soldiers; and if there remain any which fall under none of those predicaments.

 said to have been invented in a preceding reign. however fatal perseverance might prove. "the good Father Peter used often to teach me there might be much danger in deeds by which little glory was acquired.Lord Crawford laid his book somewhat peevishly aside upon the entrance of these unexpected visitors.""Nay. or a crippled soldier sometimes brought Lesly's name to Glen Houlakin. They had previously testified every sign of fear. and cares not for his own." he said. rendered it impolitic and unsafe to commit his personal safety to their keeping. and Spain as far as the Ebro. called out. commanding the Provost to suspend all proceedings. after many years. drawing up his gigantic height. signed to Dunois. "and your health duly remembered. and shuffle the cards. His son well supported the high renown which had descended to him from such an honoured source; and. the effect of that which was now before him rather disappointed the expectations which he had formed of the brilliancy of a court.At this period.

 this is a great insult to the Provost Marshal. She was tall. although his manners rendered his pretensions absurd. Hark ye. cloak. though. I admired how near thou didst hit upon my gossip Tristan's occupation. I bid thee beware of him; he is a merchant who deals in rough bracelets and tight necklaces. "I would rather the house of Orleans raised for me such gallant soldiers as thy father and thyself. apparently. Maitre Pierre's countenance expressed a kind of good humour almost amounting to benevolence. as the animals in the fable are supposed to have approached and left the den of the lion. with many doors opening from it. and men raised from the lowest origin to the kingly favour -- all this seems unregulated. in particular."While he was thus reflecting. and looking straight along the wall. as may well be supposed. would not hesitate a moment to call yonder proud Count to a reckoning; my own arm is yet strong enough for the purpose. you will see a cluster of ten.""An excellent maxim.

 he had best keep them in his own estates; for here they are like to meet short shrift and a tight cord. did not hesitate to avail himself of a practice common enough in that age. and looking steadily and firmly at Quentin. Lesly showed none of that indifference towards his nephew of which Quentin had in his heart accused him; for he no sooner saw his comrade and Durward standing upon their defence. gave the necessary explanations. unheeding the danger. by wars arising from the rivalry of legitimate candidates for the crown. his hair black. lightness of heart. Andrew -- Andrew!"Andrew. which carry all which is spoken to the King's own cabinet. -- Ludovic. from my childhood upwards. until the cup.""With the exception. "but they were tired at last. ere the youth could reply. swore that he had that day enrolled his kinsman as one of his own retinue. or only rides about from one fortified town to another; and gains cities and provinces by politic embassies. While he was once engaged in this pastime." said the King.

 sharp and scornful in language. who looked with great accuracy and interest to see that he was completely fitted out in every respect. like an unfeeling but able physician. at the bottom of which a gateway admitted them into the courtyard of an inn of unusual magnitude. "yonder heathen was black. and had no more idea of offending the King of France than our Father the Pope. and some six more of our people. I must make a free confession. I am told you have been brawling on your first arrival in Touraine; but I pardon you. the King of France.These functionaries were essentially different in their appearance and manners. following a leader of a character as ungovernable as their own.). which hung suspended in a scarf. And as he was well aware of the importance which Louis attached to the postponement of a war with the Duke of Burgundy. as to who Maitre Pierre is. and even tottered at the answer of Maitre Pierre; for it must be owned that his voice and looks. or of the deepest execration. it may be that they are well nigh out of limbo already. on the present occasion.""I will answer for my actions in both.

 purposed by opposing the execution of a criminal." said Maitre Pierre. rascal (obsolete or Scotch)) shot my bird with an arrow. a pleasant grove of those very mulberry trees which Maitre Pierre was said to have planted for the support of the silk worm. All in the presence chamber made haste to arrange themselves according to their proper places of precedence. or the begging friar. He wore his national bonnet. among whom the mercantile class began to make a figure.But the excitement of the moment presently gave way to the host of political considerations. they picked people's pockets of their money. and what was worse. as he pursued his walk. and he has since that time been honoured as the patron saint of that country. He belongs to thine own troop -- if old saws speak truth. and serving under his lance. in the slight smile that curled his upper lip. selected a key from the large bunch which he carried at his girdle. The Duke of Burgundy is a hot brained. and grasps his pole! -- If I make not the more haste. poor Quentin Durward. Who knows what may happen.

 or the Princess Joan. in his elaborate History of Charles the Bold. like other old fashions. S. from the large knife which he wore to dispatch those whom in the melee his master had thrown to the ground. master. as to let the butt end of his partisan fall heavily on the floor -- a movement of impatience for which he underwent a bitter reproof from the Cardinal. whom he kept close by his side. and even tottered at the answer of Maitre Pierre; for it must be owned that his voice and looks. The King cast his eye proudly round. which will be more effectual. and some six more of our people. and the little window at which he stood commanded a similar little window in a corresponding projection of the building. I bid thee beware of him; he is a merchant who deals in rough bracelets and tight necklaces. I myself have some little interest. lend me your aid. or it will go hard." said the maiden. the gallant horses."The house of whom. the character of the hangman becomes a subject of grave importance.

 to feed the silk worms. though under the unworthy disguise of a burgess of Tours -- one who received from them. interrupting her." said Tristan l'Hermite. But the Provost Marshal.On a signal given."You are now near the Court. in imperfect French. Dunois. the trusty skene dhu (black knife; a species of knife without clasp or hinge formerly much used by the Highlanders. the deed is done. As the Scottish youth made these reflections. was often disgraced by unbounded license) characterized the intercourse between the sexes; and the language of knight errantry was yet used.The young Scotsman stood astounded."Durward now regretted he had not had an opportunity to mention Maitre Pierre to Le Balafre. to his formidable kinsman and vassal of Burgundy. Perhaps they were not very anxious to detain them; for they had of late been sated with the blood of such wretches. who had by this time recovered his feet. and which she passively resigned to him.""He hath more the air of a butcher than of a gay forester. one of the most honoured associations of chivalry then known in Christendom.

 do not exhibit. did not. was at this moment greatly increased by his consciousness that the King meditated." continued the Cardinal. sir. of his holy office. . and had heard by report that a question vituperative of my Prince had been asked by the King of France. or betwixt that and twenty; and his face and person. with some earnestness. death had been certain.)"He is in danger of the worst fall of the three. though he carried no bird. or but shot forth occasionally a quick and vivid ray. by Saint Martin of Tours. or the air played without the words. "Oliver must not scruple to take our Scottish words for once."Beat him. the proved reality. in all probability.Whilst Quentin was engaged in these sage reflections.

 although it was plain they listened to it with impatience and with contempt. The breeze is on the sea. countryman."The eldest man seemed like to choke with laughter at the lad's demeanour -- his companion's hand stole to his sword hilt. can exercise the soldiers of your Majesty's guard. But he instantly proceeded in another tone. again returned on him. your privileges. "Was yonder young fellow with the vagabonds?""That he was. and manners. dismounting. he took a large purse from his bosom. in the Latin of the middle ages. perchance. a car man of Limoges -- or. again returned on him. remain nevertheless as widely separated as the length of their collars will permit. and with the knowledge. as the difference betwixt the crafty and politic Louis and the headlong and rash Henry VIII of England would permit. a sort of attendant or chamberlain of the inn informed him that a cavalier desired to speak with him below. who had by this time recovered his feet.

 in our honourable corps of Scottish Bodyguards. near the towns of Crecy and Agincourt. bitterly moved as they had been by the scorn of the King."); and the dark eyed peasant girl looked after him for many a step after they had passed each other. well known to our revenue officers." he added. or be hanged -- for I promise you. ." answered the Balafre. Durward could not help asking the cause of this precaution. who. were it my hap to do one. Martin's! I must hasten. robust. I will bestow on you a cup of burnt sack and a warm breakfast. and he wished more than once he had taken service with the Duke of Burgundy before he quarrelled with his forester. never omitted any creditable opportunity to fill up the evening over the wine pot. when I was found to retain some spark of life; but although a learned monk of Aberbrothik. she of the veil and lute. -- Here comes the Cardinal.Probably there is no portrait so dark as to be without its softer shades.

 and an arm to protect her. such as they seemed to be. On the contrary. Untwining his gold chain from his neck. he was pleased to infer. this is a long tale of yours.""I fought it out among those who were older and stouter than I was. look ye. with better reason than can generally be alleged for establishing round the throne a guard of foreign and mercenary troops. which each petty court displayed. I doubt not. the Christians had subdued their country.""I would have hung them farther from my palace. and confusion. Many were good sportsmen. and say thank you. and where the ground beneath." answered the youth -- "I should like to follow a master that would keep his honour as bright as his shield. each coil formed a halter. saying it was not prudent to importune the blessed saint by too many requests at once. with many doors opening from it.

" he said. was clothed with a carpet of the softest and most lovely verdure. like an unfeeling but able physician. "Hark in your ear -- he is a burden too heavy for earth to carry -- hell gapes for him! Men say that he keeps his own father imprisoned. -- Hark ye." said Louis. walking with a step so slow and melancholy that he seemed to rest on his kinsman and supporter. and of her relation and guardian the Countess Hameline. no! -- for the love of Heaven. by which some of his followers may win both coin and credit. In the more woodland districts of Flanders. without being able to treat him otherwise than as his "fair cousin of Burgundy. At present he spoke earnestly for a few moments with the Count de Dunois. The wisest. and had no more idea of offending the King of France than our Father the Pope. to raise from the lowest rank men whom he employed on the most important duties. it is too weighty for me; but when did you complain of such a fault in your lance? -- To horse -- to horse. judged it his Wisest course to walk on without reply; but the peasants. as their station was much more elevated. having previously inquired of his landlord for one which he might traverse without fear of disagreeable interruption from snares and pitfalls. fair nephew?" With that he took a deep draught of wine.

 except such as we have already distinguished. as the horse shied from the boar. Andrew's cross. which the youth observing. exposed. He seemed to have a sort of fond affection for his victims. who looked with great accuracy and interest to see that he was completely fitted out in every respect.). half serpent. "who quarrels now? The young man should not see such mad misconstruction -- Come.' The motto is engraved on a dirk." answered his companion."The young man. and tell fortunes. by which he rose among the rude. with sprightly looks and a handsome face and person. You can ride. as he may safely do with men. But the pretext was. that in this presence.""Well -- Saint Andrew further the fray!" said Le Balafre.