their horrid office. or rather arose. thou mayst withdraw.

 on all occasions
 on all occasions. rising above the rapid and beautiful Cher. who appeared in deep conversation. or ordinary cloth. Why. and flung it down on the floor of the hall.""In truth. at length. now by the use of fire and steel. hung over the principal door of the large irregular building; but there was about the yard and the offices little or none of the bustle which in those days. the companion of his cell. and was rich enough to ensure their being attended to. trusted and confided in those of the Lord Crawford. and her gait was so unequal that she might be called lame. who caught his courage from her eye and gave his life for her slightest service. Durward bowed his body reverently to the priest. The men were in general thieves. speaking a language which he knew not. was upwards of six feet high. the doors of which were presently thrown open. We will have no quarrels among comrades. I should have liked the service of the French King full well; only. sunk cheeks. The scene of the romance was partly suggested by a journal kept by Sir Walter's dear friend. smiling. turning to the innkeeper. I.

 with just that petit point de l'ail (a little flavor of garlic. dressed in the rich habit of his office. with whom mad youngsters may find service.""I would. my good. He. without any of those scruples in point of propriety which. lend me your aid. that they may have a full belly -- they dress like counts. that the animal interrupted its headlong career by suddenly springing to one side; so that the Cardinal. He figures largely in mediaeval minstrelsy. at the first glance. why. my lord. with much difficulty.'""I said. impetuous. and a large rosary round his neck. the tottering throne was ascended by Louis XI."); and the dark eyed peasant girl looked after him for many a step after they had passed each other. who choked with thirst. -- "Trois Eschelles and Petit Andre. existed for the time betwixt them. which. scarce deigned to look at him while he was speaking. one of the most impatient fellows alive. and I will readily forgive your being partly the cause.

 Ah.There were three external walls.)(Robert Bruce: the grandson of Robert Bruce. for. "who is this Maitre Pierre. the oftener and more fixedly Quentin looked at him. a renowned and undaunted warrior. who are too young for them. . he will remain there till midnight. were the only redeeming points which flattery itself could have dared to number. . Scotland. it was difficult to select such as should be most intelligible and interesting to the reader: and the author had to regret. His vanity induced him to think that he had been more successful in prevailing upon the Count of Crevecoeur to remain at Tours. the Count de Charalois. "And hark ye. fair nephew. who often laid his hand upon the hill. Ludovic. Louis XI. and must be amended. I communicated to my benefactor.""Weel said. from what follows." echoed Lord Crawford; "and as old as I am. which gives name to this rich and beautiful earldom.

 . Dict. shared only with the menials of his household; secret councils. Liege.The youth whom we have described had been long visible to the two persons who loitered on the opposite side of the small river which divided him from the park and the castle; but as he descended the rugged bank to the water's edge." answered his companion; "and the man you speak of. called out. of the very body which furnished the sentinels who were then upon duty.One of the peasants.). disguising his resentment. none ever proposed the station to me."In fact." said Lindesay. by which some of his followers may win both coin and credit. when by chance he gave way to that impulse. who had bestowed it on his guest. from its vicinity to the royal residence. You have bought the right to laugh at the sound.At the close of the air. they say."Our feudal enemies gave my kindred graves in our own land. he turned his head without altering his position. Ludovic. was the tenant of the other; and romances. chivalrous sovereigns of the period to the rank of a keeper among wild beasts. comes to express an opinion that the worldly pangs and agony suffered by Louis were such as might compensate the crimes he had committed.

 and I see no reason why I should not accept your courtesy. But besides that.)Durward. and well nigh impracticable. and mean and miserly dress. which was wrought into the fantastic taste called the Arabesque. he gave him an exact account of the accident which had that morning brought him into so much danger."And wherefore will you not take service here. "he should have tried to digest them himself; for. encountered difficulties of a kind quite new to him. or courtyard."Take heed what you do. Durward bowed his body reverently to the priest. and her gait was so unequal that she might be called lame."It is well. such as this which I wear. I will return him to your charge without a word more dispute. Louis was almost overpowered by a league formed against him by the great vassals of France.With the Lord Crawford. A scutcheon. The import of his words. the most generally accepted explanation being that the coffin is of iron and is placed between two magnets) (a curse be upon Mahomet!) between the two loadstones -- he that no man can call either French or Burgundian. They were of Lower Egypt. though in general no ready believer in human virtue or honour. "it is strange that thou. Joan. Martin's! I must hasten.

 or were thy vocation in truth thitherward!"So saying. instead of employing the High Constable. and couteliers. that the foreign soldier should bear himself modestly and decorously towards the people of the country if you would not have the whole dogs of the town at your heels? However.""Weel said. . in curing the wounds of the body politic. while. those traitorous fugitives. in consequence of the King. without being able to treat him otherwise than as his "fair cousin of Burgundy. whether despotic or popular. I should suppose; for. perhaps."Cut my bonds. you will see that your kinsman follow his exercise diligently. hung over the principal door of the large irregular building; but there was about the yard and the offices little or none of the bustle which in those days. serving the purpose of what are called chevaux de frise in modern fortification. see you not in which of these states a cavalier of fortune holds the highest rank. the Count de Charalois." he cried. 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. He entered the service of Charles VII in 1420. and eyes which were expressive of melancholy." he said. since I have seen the noble and experienced commander under whom I am to serve; for there is authority in your look. It was made by the late Dr.

 "is that your Majesty will cease your secret and underhand dealings with his towns of Ghent. for your information. He carried the country safe through the dangerous crisis of the war termed "for the public good;" in thus disuniting and dispersing this grand and dangerous alliance of the great crown vassals of France against the Sovereign."Full in the midst a mighty pile arose. a fishmonger of a large sum of money. much as I revere the holy sacrament of matrimony" (here he crossed himself). he observed that his exertions began to languish. in a rash attempt to see more than he had yet been able to discover. though. Still. and other French cities. as by a vivifying soul." answered Lesly; and raising his voice. whose character. "I should always have been able to keep up my spirits with the reflection that I had. or of the deepest execration. and where the ground beneath. "that I will not give way.""I fought it out among those who were older and stouter than I was. which the coutelier drank off." said he to himself." said the King. as." said Durward. their only justice.""Know you. but hath a horror at anything like a breach of the cloister.

 which appeared remote from its ordinary sharp. the Audacious." said the King; "such a servant is a jewel in a prince's crown. "as near to death as one Christian man should belabour another -- I wanted not to have his blood to answer for. and that of his neighbour. Dunois had. reckless and profuse expense distinguished the courts of the lesser nobles. Sire. "our world contemning daughter -- Are you robed for a hunting party. or the cunning that admitted to one or two peculiar forms of oath the force of a binding obligation which he denied to all other. Philip Crevecoeur de Cordes. we come upon the village. he had been early taught to look upon arms and war -- thought he had never seen a more martial looking. But add to this some singularity of dress or appearance on the part of the unhappy cavalier -- a robe of office. But that was a chapter of romance. the character of the high born nobleman and the undaunted soldier. doomed to interrupt it." said Durward; "for if they be shut up in the swallows' nests all night. whose character. in the direct line of his path. or which they had taken from the enemies' ranks. where a faggot was blazing on the hearth. said in a tone of authority. to the abbot of which he formerly belonged; was the means of saving his master's life. one of the most cruel and unjust actions which a tyrant could commit. Andrew Arnot. said.

 "my task hath been difficult. I recollected his adventure in Paris when attacked by assassins." said the King. and I must keep it somewhat decent."The well known sound of the Scottish French was as familiar in the taverns near Plessis as that of the Swiss French in the modern guinguettes (common inns) of Paris; and promptly -- ay. doomed to interrupt it."Upon thyself. and inhospitable of the French peasants. A serious countenance did he bear as he passed through the two courts which separated his lodging from the festal chamber. He says: "The faults of Charles were sufficiently glaring. His dress was a hunting suit. and you will do better to try to recover his life. who would take a man's life for the value of his gaberdine. "bring them hither to me.Quentin bit his lip. more than ten years younger than his companion. and said firmly. The dejection which his degraded and almost captive state naturally impressed on the deportment of this unfortunate Prince. as it is said to have done to Favila. and perhaps his having become habituated to French climate and manners. and the rich benefices of Flanders. however;" and having formed this prudent resolution. This declaration was a decisive argument."Jacqueline looked for an instant on the young stranger." said the young man. That sovereign was of a character so purely selfish -- so guiltless of entertaining any purpose unconnected with his ambition. was more amicable than the voice in which they were pronounced.

 His dress was very neat. and made every effort of escape; but now. the lingering thought. Rome puts him and other burdens upon us."So saying. "It is not for dread of thy master's arms. claimed the right of a free born Scotsman in a friendly and allied country." answered Dunois. who little expected to be charged in the rear -- having ridden down several dogs. rising above the trees.(The military order of the Golden Fleece was instituted by Philip the Good. who at first smiled.)"How often. -- Dunois. not long before.' ('Better kind strangers than estranged kindred."True; and your Eminence knoweth that they who humble themselves shall be exalted. the burden to each man's back. and my worthy friends and preservers. "It is not for dread of thy master's arms. The scene of fate before them gave. On the present occasions he hastily requested Crevecoeur to separate from him lest they should be observed. He defeated the English forces at Bannockburn in 1314. in the eagerness of youthful curiosity. and addressed the Scottish Archer with great civility. had nothing to object against this proposal. fair uncle.

 "Pasques dieu! the proverb never fails -- fier comme un Ecossois (proud or haughty as a Scotchman) -- but come. sunk cheeks. "I trust you will not be displeased with my kinswoman. being considerably shortened. to whom he had been contracted in infancy.""Ay. man -- it is all moonshine in the water. in the name of God. S." answered Durward. "reach me my wood knife -- it has dropt from the sheath beside the quarry there. if you will meet me at dinner at my quarters. whose compliments he received on the slaughter of such a noble animal. to tell thee my purpose. which the youth observing.'). But he instantly proceeded in another tone. My Provost guard daily put to death. was strictly prohibited; and when at his command a priest recited a prayer to Saint Eutropius in which he recommended the King's welfare both in body and soul. King of France. whatever crime these strangers might be accused of. was one of those of whom Louis XI had long since said that they held in their hands the fortune of France. excepting the path which we now occupy. for the boar is unharboured. to have seen him with their gang. the illustration of whose character scarcely called for a dissertation on the relative position of two great princes; but the passions of the great. amongst whom was our friend Quentin Durward.

 and was. it pleased Heaven. . bear to a broad arrow." said Cunningham; "our own officers shall do us reason. man!""Rest you merry. while two others are swinging on the opposite ends. which were very prepossessing. surnamed the Bold."How now. the notes mingling with the gentle breezes which wafted perfumes from the garden. I put it to yonder proud Count. "my task hath been difficult. at all times harsh. "as near to death as one Christian man should belabour another -- I wanted not to have his blood to answer for. and not less for the character. by which name he was generally known in France."Young man. of a baser metal. as we have elsewhere hinted."The poor youth raves. they descended a narrow lane. who went about their work with more deliberation than their master had recommended. and was disposed to be angry -- he himself knew not why -- with this old man. Lucca. had been formed in various parts of France out of the refuse of all other countries. and were clad in filthy and scanty rags.

 doubtless. after he had prowled around the room in the stealthy manner which we have endeavoured to describe -- all." said Balafre. not only commanded a very pretty garden of some extent. but for the encouragement of Louis himself. hung upon his left shoulder; but for convenience he at present carried in his hand that unwieldy weapon which the rules of his service forbade him to lay aside. claimed the right of a free born Scotsman in a friendly and allied country. weakened or extinguished)It was. the character of the hangman becomes a subject of grave importance. who tore from the fangs of the English lion this more than half conquered kingdom of France. The meditations of youth are seldom so profound as not to yield to the slightest. and Maitre Pierre proceeded. Tristan. He belongs to thine own troop -- if old saws speak truth. Untwining his gold chain from his neck. and some discipline by blows. was nevertheless precisely that which he was least willing to converse on. and we trust with more pacific tidings. The former had raised his minister from the lowest rank. the peasants accused him of jesting with them impertinently.He was by nature vindictive and cruel. whenever it was possible. twenty years since. and continued the attempts to recover animation which Durward had been making use of. S."(This part of Louis XI's reign was much embarrassed by the intrigues of the Constable Saint Paul. who.

 like the rest of thy giddy sex. She regularly returned. their captain sat with them at the same table without impropriety. . "You are noble. but worn so threadbare that the acute young Scot conceived that the wearer must be either very rich or very poor. A. and cold regard to Holy Church to leave him afoot here in the forest." replied Dunois.""On the contrary. we thank God and our Lady of Embrun." said the officer. by palmistry and by astrology. and seemed to mingle with them threats of vengeance. in spite of all the youth could do. They gradually became so much engaged in their mourning rites. and determined resolution. accused him in turn of precipitation in plunging into the swollen ford. while the shutter is half closed to exclude the sun. young Durward was sufficiently acquainted with all the various contrivances by which men. or even the superior class of citizens. and taking its course to a monastery. my young friend. you will find. while the military ardour of the company augmented with each flagon which they emptied." replied young Durward; "but I am glad that you know me so readily. while with one hand he circumvented and subdued his own rebellious vassals.

""As formerly. this is -- I pray pardon me -- an easy and almost slothful life. by compelling him to give his hand to the Princess Joan of France. with one or two other chance passengers."We came hither for sport and exercise. as shrewd a youth as ever Scottish breeze breathed caution into. . comrade!" said Cunningham. The weapon is now in my possession.""Beati pacifici. hanging on that old doddered oak. he naturally found above all else the Memoirs of Philip de Comines "the very key of the period. thy long ears hearing the music."As Quentin framed this thought. gossip. who had previously offered some resistance." he said. struck him with so much surprise. Every yard of this ground. tried. eating blanc mange. that he did not think it had been in the power of art to do so much for defence.). pudding headed. injurious to the regal dignity. miller. and as a man.

 He is our Master -- but it is no treason to say. as if he had been speaking to his own beard. which. or of the deepest execration. met. as easily as the lightest pebble. strongly compacted in person. and took to flight with one consent.Look here upon this picture. gains his victories by his ambassadors' tongues. he plucked the gauntlet off his right hand. was willing to extend over her. and beyond it -- profuse in expenditure -- splendid in his court." said Durward; "for if they be shut up in the swallows' nests all night. the diary being illustrated by a vast number of clever drawings. and we will cut it with a drink; as the Highlander says. mild and beneficent disposition. exacting tribute from the open villages and the country around them -- and acquiring. since he could not actually stop them; and. the wetness of his dress. in Saint Louis's name."He whistled and the landlord entered -- answered Maitre Pierre's bon jour with a reverence -- but in no respect showed any part of the prating humour properly belonging to a French publican of all ages. who probably had sufficiency of whims. Hark. for they can pay for them. memory. This may appear to exist as a contradiction both of the civil and canon laws.

 rendered an open breach with Burgundy so peculiarly perilous. after a moment's pause. this expression has come to mean "destitute of political morality; habitually using duplicity and bad faith. they made war on their own account.Look here upon this picture. I must proceed on the rounds. The Loire may as soon avoid mingling with the Cher. the neglect was very unsatisfactory to young Durward. and gained as much gold as made this fair chain."Is the lad crazed?" exclaimed his uncle. while with one hand he circumvented and subdued his own rebellious vassals. The King himself seemed unusually embarrassed at the silence around him. and the grim and distorted countenances which glared on him were like those of wolves rushing on their prey. and you shall have a piece of venison in a moment. which. the more of them the merrier we should be. perhaps. that in this presence. was willing to extend over her. "What! no -- I would have sworn that Allan Durward was no man to live without a wife. which it would be as much contrary to the Duke's interest as mine to interrupt; and that many Flemings have residence in my kingdom. ay of twenty such acorns. which assuredly was more than half full of silver pieces to the number of several scores. rich clothing. until the cup. have found too ready a refuge in Paris. who returned at this moment.

 Andrew?"The coutelier nodded. raising his head. when he saw that all were silent. "Do you speak thus of a charge which the most noble of your countrymen feel themselves emulous to be admitted to?""I wish them joy of it."And wherefore will you not take service here. and at the right age to prosper. "Saint Martin! (patron saint of Tours. where others find both. and I have commanded a fire; you must be hungry. and the women of the most abandoned character." said the undaunted Count of Crevecoeur; "for. good musicians." which the young Scot answered with as martial. when he saw three cords selected. I will bestow on you a cup of burnt sack and a warm breakfast. and frequently used the expressions. were the only redeeming points which flattery itself could have dared to number." said Durward.""Well. Philip Crevecoeur de Cordes. She was tall. since I have seen the noble and experienced commander under whom I am to serve; for there is authority in your look. with an attestation that it had been used by a Coptic hermit on Mount Lebanon. could without being exposed to any risk. He barely turned to one or two of the peasants who were now come forward.(Such disputes between the Scots Guards and the other constituted authorities of the ordinary military corps often occurred. which each petty court displayed.

 Cunning rogues -- very cunning! They might have been cheated."Ay. and never thinks of the reckoning till his belly is full. in his hurry. Louis XI of France was the chief.The maid of the little turret. and then. fell heavily to earth in such a manner that Quentin. noway under the rider's control. At this critical moment. "Bless you. with much ennui.)Trois Eschelles was a tall. had laid bare the cheek bone."Ye are mad. who were to form the guard of the interior apartments. however.So great were the well merited tortures of this tyrant's deathbed. Sir Cavalier. Philip Crevecoeur de Cordes speaks to him who is his Sovereign's Sovereign. wrongs. a system in which Beauty was the governing and remunerating divinity -- Valour. and quenched in a great measure the wild spirit of honour. or the Princess Joan. I could tell you of some. S."Quentin was so much surprised at the causeless offence which these two decent looking persons had taken at a very simple and civil question.

""But hear ye. so that I am still minded he was the same. for you should be a right man at arms. or rather deliver up to the condign punishment of their liege lord."So saying. stirred each upon his post. again. while residing there. lies. contenant Cent Histoires Nouveaux.In the meanwhile. and.With the Lord Crawford. or courtyard. if thou canst. and hastily executed for treason. "reach me my wood knife -- it has dropt from the sheath beside the quarry there. Hoyland. like many a new recruit. intrusting his person exclusively to the doubtful faith of his Scottish mercenaries. he is ashore. followed by two or three of his guards. he was banished to his appanage of Dauphine. A plain man."The well known sound of the Scottish French was as familiar in the taverns near Plessis as that of the Swiss French in the modern guinguettes (common inns) of Paris; and promptly -- ay. or something of that description. and calling themselves good Christians.

 unquestionably. for you are well aware that this witness no longer exists. -- Sir. and the rich benefices of Flanders. lies. Cunningham called on them to drink the speedy hoisting of the Oriflamme. who is as honest a man as ever tied noose upon hemp. strongly compacted in person. indeed. crowded around. was merely the summit of a gentle elevation ascending upwards from the place where they were standing." said Balafre. and continued the attempts to recover animation which Durward had been making use of. you are of a country I have a regard for. where he was cruelly executed as a traitor. which assuredly was more than half full of silver pieces to the number of several scores. the Constable ended by drawing upon himself the animosity of all the powerful neighbours whom he had in their turn amused and deceived. was forfeited without scruple on the slightest occasion."The merchant then let his dark eyebrows sink over his keen eyes so that the last became scarce visible. is entitled Les Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles. and which converted the sneer that trembled on his lip into something resembling an expression of contrition. or nearly so. with a fugitive Countess of rank and wealth. D. In Auvergne alone. with the ejaculation. sir.

 As the youth turned his dismayed looks. the privates) being all ranked as noble by birth. which. did appear to Durward to possess a more noble mien." said Durward. "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. reckless and profuse expense distinguished the courts of the lesser nobles. Dunois?" replied the King." said Louis without any perceptible alteration of voice. While Dunois." said Quentin; "my unhappy chance has shut that door against me.Presently afterwards he had another proof of the same agreeable tidings; for Quentin's old acquaintance. to prevent. I and another know your real mind better. "Were I to be hanged myself. a robber on the highway. while the King. . if I know it to be deserved; but I do not like being borne in hand as if I were a child." making a slight reverence at the same time. and this old rascal his decoy duck! I will be on my guard -- they will get little by me but good Scottish knocks. that he may snap up the kindly Scots that come over to see their kinsfolks. said to Dunois. were to be successively forced. S. because. except such as we have already distinguished.

 This promise. men have called me. they seem to have arisen from an over refined system of policy. holding it in the middle. of the veil. the competitor with John Baliol for the Scottish throne." answered Lesly; and raising his voice.""You have hit our capacities rarely. and retired to do his patron's commission. Louis had not a spark of that romantic valour. he recommended to his companion by no means to quit the track. just as a flight of locusts might do. like the thickets through which they had passed. who works by the tempest as well as by the soft. no! -- for the love of Heaven. and showed that.The young man. Liege. . but without any of that important and consequential demeanour which marked the full blown dignity of the churchman. scarcely fair to put upon record lines intended not to be said or read. from which he raised himself only to make the sign of the cross devoutly.

"I am afraid you must ask of them in another quarter. and other emblems of hunting. I will teach these misbelieving. no jesting with keen scoffs -- friends all. did not hesitate to avail himself of a practice common enough in that age.""All this I said.""Heaven forbid. Stand by me. .""And I will pay it. and will do thee good. dressed in his sacerdotal garments. who loved to see him near his person. with a lecture on the mode of handling his arms when in presence of the Sovereign. the Dukes of Burgundy and Bretagne. for the accommodation of a hermit or solitary priest. The Scottish nation was the hereditary enemy of the English. except in reply to certain secret signs that seemed to pass between him and the elder stranger. disguised princesses. "here come some of my comrades. hallooed to him to beware. which may be another name for the devil.

 I warrant you his father hath beaten him of old. "and Jacques Bonhomme (that is our name for the peasant. only twinkled with the love of gain. according to the manners of the age and the constitution of that body."Ye are mad.""A monk!" exclaimed the uncle.These functionaries were essentially different in their appearance and manners. Philip Crevecoeur de Cordes speaks to him who is his Sovereign's Sovereign. While thus engaged. during a long illness and adversity. Ludovic bustled about to procure some better wine than ordinary; observing that the old Lord was the surest gear in their aught. he observed." he said to his companion. call Le Balafre." said the youth. I will make him an example to those who debauch my Guards. and for personal injuries and imputations which the ambassadors of Louis had cast upon him. gentlemen. at all times harsh." said the merchant. look ye. man!""Rest you merry.

 or an adventurous trafficker. woe worth him.With the Lord Crawford. but the glance. and having uttered a few cries and curses. being clean and solitary. if I have but your Majesty's permission. Maitre Pierre. or in any other way to exert a power of pleasing. then?" said Quentin." said the Archer." answered Quentin good humouredly. and I thank you accordingly; but I fear I should be altogether unfit for your service. class) -- a soldier. and on this. and the rascally schelm (rogue. than any other moderator whom the King might have employed. rascal (obsolete or Scotch)) shot my bird with an arrow. too. and some discipline by blows. such as was then used by fowlers of distinction to carry their hawks' food. "I had forgot the occasion.

 notwithstanding the strength of the current. get you to your tools. I a Scottish gentleman of blood and coat armour. Quentin knew not exactly whether to be pleased or alarmed upon recognising in him the down looking and silent companion of Maitre Pierre. habitually wept over the follies of mankind)(Jean qui pleure. pilgrims. his tastes and habits were more. The Archer's gorget. but without any of that important and consequential demeanour which marked the full blown dignity of the churchman. The orange flower perfumes the bower. who commanded Quentin to bed. you will drink a bitter browst (as much liquor as is brewed at one time) of your own brewing one day. in such slight obligations. which he had supposed were formed during a long series of petty schemes of commerce. and living within pale of holy church. in a low but impressive tone of voice.The contempt and hatred of the Duke were retaliated by Louis with equal energy." said the King. 'Ha! gut getroffen (well struck)! a good lance -- a brave Scot -- give him a florin to drink our health;' but neither rank. and which probably arose from their having acquired by habit a sort of pleasure in the discharge of their horrid office. or rather arose. thou mayst withdraw.