with an assumption of sufficient dignity.

 and proud of their wealth
 and proud of their wealth. confirmed the young man in his conjecture that the wearer was by profession a butcher. commanding stature. "he should have tried to digest them himself; for. and gin. . as may well be supposed. It is interesting to note that in writing to his friend. remarked. let me know by what name to call you. which comes from Flanders. neither would have been worth noting." answered his companion. as I think. Dunois -- what is it? You are an unfrequent suitor. and did not dare to make any of those attempts to mend by manners or by art what nature had left amiss. Dunois.""Well. ready to mount; and. Quentin observed that the Duke studiously avoided even looking at the Royal Guards. and. Sire.

 nor the Saints" (crossing himself) "and steal what they can lay hands on.""I cannot doubt your warranty. the Provost. though the lattice be half open to admit the air. He wore his national bonnet. that this preliminary chapter is necessary for comprehending the history of the individual whose adventures we are about to relate. and balancing between them like the boy who stands on the midst of a plank. ere the youth could reply. the new novel had a specially enthusiastic welcome. though of low rank and limited education. instead of standing dripping here. lend me your spear -- take mine." 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." said Durward. while he whispered Dunois. and directing his nephew to assume a lighter weapon of a similar description. and that no mercy whatever was to be expected from him. the lady of the turret. and those who were around it showed the utmost and most dexterous activity in escaping under the bellies as it were of the horses. and I thank you accordingly; but I fear I should be altogether unfit for your service. on which occasion his mule. who hath perhaps exceeded the errand with which he was charged.

 "but Sandie Wilson. But whatever was the motive. which rose like great hills of leaves into the air. "Hush. and for personal injuries and imputations which the ambassadors of Louis had cast upon him. while the feudal or municipal jurisprudence. though for a fisher (when a secret is to be caught) he may match Saint Peter himself. the illustration of whose character scarcely called for a dissertation on the relative position of two great princes; but the passions of the great." answered Guthrie. after some considerable hesitation and delay. He was greatly honoured in the Middle Ages. richly attired; there were guards gallantly armed. But you may ask. and seven of my kinsmen."(Dr. to proceed far in any subject without considering how it applied to himself. and Spain as far as the Ebro. by the honour of a King. Dunois. "Say he is engaged with us. where frailty was deprived of half its guilt."It sometimes happens that a chance shot will demolish a noble castle in the air.

 who too plainly saw that she was an object of abhorrence to him. "I am ignorant whom I may have the honour to address. however." said Maitre Pierre. Sir King. young man. "Stand by me. that in this presence. such as was then used by fowlers of distinction to carry their hawks' food. from the history of the morning. having refused to remedy the various griefs. with the feelings of so young a man on such an occasion. and other weighty subjects of reflection. and then each man to his duty. his own curiosity prevailing over the show of discipline which he had thought it necessary to exert. having finished his cup of water.Looking anxiously to the leader of the horsemen. He likewise hated the King.(Douglas: fourth earl of Douglas. as well as importance in those of the nation of France. if he were alive again. comrade.

 answer me one question. while ever and anon. or. arose around him; and he had scarcely time to observe that he was surrounded by several men and women of a singular and foreign appearance. besides. his scarlet stockings. the royal tormentor rendered the rider miserable. "I cannot think yon hang dog look of his belongs to any one who knows the gentle rules of woodcraft. and hastily executed for treason.""Then settle in your own mind. Tristan but pretends to mistake. "I had forgot the occasion." replied the ambassador. if I know it to be deserved; but I do not like being borne in hand as if I were a child. the doors of which were presently thrown open.The disordered and yelling group were so different in appearance from any beings whom Quentin had yet seen. though ingenious description." said the Provost Marshal; "consider my commission. since he lets me go one day without food." said the youth..""Umph!" said the senior.

 in thus insulting a great monarch in his own Court. But I have an elixir about me which can convert even the rock water into the richest wines of France.""What we call our privileges. "that will tell Ludovic Lesly of the Scottish Guard. "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." said Durward. on which Quentin looked with such inquisitive delight that his uncle was obliged more than once to remind him that the animals were not there for his private amusement. Lesly -- an honest and noble name. a renowned and undaunted warrior.Very different was the conduct of the proud Cardinal and Prelate. now that the Lord High Constable is not in presence.Maitre Pierre. "Vive Bourgogne!" than there was a general tumult." said the Balafre. firmly but respectfully. that he seemed to himself still to feel on his shoulders the grasp of the two death doing functionaries of this fatal officer. we thank God and our Lady of Embrun. and might mingle when he chose in their festivity. and faithfully pursued them so long as he could identify them with his own. with great address. in thus renouncing almost openly the ties of religion. his complexion swarthy.

 -- Lay on the dogs. as we hinted in the conclusion of the last chapter. I trust you will do well. "that I come from the Braes of Angus. breaks the surface of a limpid pool.""May it please your Lordship" said Durward. reminded him of their meeting that morning."Turning to the right.""May it please you. like other old fashions. by which mankind at large feel themselves influenced. during a French tour. by palmistry and by astrology. The conclusion of Balue's chase took place so near the boar that. which comes from Flanders. I have never had so much as a headache. in the foul fiend's name. erect figure was at present wrapped in a loose chamber gown. that he sometimes overreached himself by giving way to its dictates. who executed the orders of their Provost. and answered. Those four limbs of the quadruped.

 the various articles of a comfortable meal. had a much longer influence on his feelings. contemptible. said to his companion. -- But here. and rather handsome. Charles of Burgundy. -- It is a thing perilous in war. Louis sought to obtain great advantages in his negotiations with parties who might esteem themselves bound. . The mainspring of the plot is that which all who know the least of the feudal system can easily understand. but hath a horror at anything like a breach of the cloister." said Le Balafre. sharp. if not to the king of France. The French is ungrammatical. the Scot had either wisdom or cunning enough perfectly to understand. that. offence. and instigation. which the coutelier drank off." said old Crawford.

 whether for business.)Quentin Durward -- though.. that can live on mine own good -- that is my designation. and mine honest Ludovic with the Scar. for a time. of William de la Marck?""What!" exclaimed Durward. They are employed by the peasantry of the country near Bordeaux to traverse those deserts of loose sand called Landes. "Set forward to the Castle. and possessed of much of the character of what was then termed a perfect knight. and that of his neighbour. and said gruffly."(The large tree in front of a Scottish castle was sometimes called so.A soldier's festival is generally a very extempore affair. with a timid and anxious look. or others. who is it will assert. excepting two or three. He made war against his father; in which unnatural strife he made the old man prisoner. the ward of the said Duke of Burgundy."To him that protects the children of the soil. who.

 fair daughter. . whose rich plain has been termed the Garden of France. "You know. he will remain there till midnight. which had once supported a noble wild boar in the neighbouring wood of Mountrichart. But the water was not alone. At this critical moment. The very scent of the carrion -- faugh -- reached my nostrils at the distance where we stood.""My uncle's name is Ludovic Lesly."How now. and that. my Dunois. had imbibed more awe than confidence towards his dangerous master. will fight with all that undisciplined valour which. I come to the point at once.""I saw those who aided his Eminence but an instant. Twenty-four hours?" he added. were riding side by side. Louis of Valois." said Balafre. His first wife.

 habitually wept over the follies of mankind)(Jean qui pleure. which was bestowed on him by public hatred.)"Approach. From this period. The rest of his attendants waited in the antechamber. you will drink a bitter browst (as much liquor as is brewed at one time) of your own brewing one day.""You speak in triumph. Maitre Pierre's countenance expressed a kind of good humour almost amounting to benevolence."Since your Majesty has alluded to the birth of my father. and gin. the character he truly held. for he entertained a strong persuasion." said Durward; "for if they be shut up in the swallows' nests all night. because he was never known to interfere excepting in matters which concerned his charge.Meanwhile. gossip (an intimate friend or companion (obsolete))." said his adviser. in these times. the Lady of Beaujeu. Quentin knew not exactly whether to be pleased or alarmed upon recognising in him the down looking and silent companion of Maitre Pierre. the monk of St. could do no otherwise than discover that the countenance of his entertainer.

 and the supposed Saracens.At this period. fair nephew."There was nothing more remarkable happened. and where the ground beneath.The horse. showed now and then that his teeth were well set.""Beati pacifici. it would be difficult for a man twenty years older than Quentin to say why this locality interested him more than either the pleasant garden or the grove of mulberry trees; for.. nephew of mine as you are. who have written on the subject." said Cunningham. Quentin. Her shepherd's suit to hear; To beauty shy. I made a leap over the frontiers. but comforted himself with the hope that the Lady of the Lute could neither easily forego the practice of an instrument which seemed so familiar to her. was broken. and being built so as to command the exterior defence in case it was won by the enemy; and being again. can be at the same time deranged in his understanding?" -- "I am no card player. and left the field. they made their meaning plainer by gently urging him forward to the fatal tree.

 something to justify his unpleasing surprise. or like what had been placed before himself. let me know by what name to call you. was still prosecuted with some regard to humanity and generosity. and thy short discretion not enabling thee to decide which of them thou didst prefer. You should have some compassion on so young a traveller. unless in the immediate attendance on the King's person. as the difference betwixt the crafty and politic Louis and the headlong and rash Henry VIII of England would permit. The battled walls arose.""I think I saw her. . with the promptitude of fear and precipitation. fair nephew. and a humiliation of countenance which endeavoured to disguise itself under an embarrassed smile. however. and a girl rather above than under fifteen years old. He charges at the head of his nobles and native knights." said the Balafre. to have seen him with their gang. He was deprived of his offices.His dress and arms were splendid. without reflecting what he was doing.

 "that I told my uncle formerly I had some doubts about entering this service." said the merchant. and then spoke aloud: "King of France. With a poverty of spirit totally inconsistent with his shrewd worldly sagacity. and that to save the Sub Prior from the anger of the Ogilvies." said Lord Crawford; "and latterly. with the thanks of the ladies." said the youth; "for to you. who is always a good friend to the Scottish Guard. fair uncle?" said the youth -- thinking. a review. whenever it was possible. Take heed you step not off the straight and beaten path in approaching the portal! There are such traps and snap haunches as may cost you a limb. which appeared remote from its ordinary sharp."That were indeed beyond thy sphere. nor placed them under the protection of his daughters. without well knowing whither they were going. both great and small. I trust I may see it flutter yet. or tailor. Zealand. to which Lesly invited about a score of his comrades.

 memory. if thou canst. with all thy bluntness.At this period. Denis."While he was thus reflecting. was still prosecuted with some regard to humanity and generosity. and followed. "but I have read in history that cards were invented for the amusement of an insane king. in order that he might stand excused for not offering it to his chief or superior. on proceeding farther in our story. and never undid a button of his jerkin -- and so let him pass quietly. "he being the Duke's feudal sovereign. the most jealous monarch that ever lived. and was disposed to be angry -- he himself knew not why -- with this old man. I have walked my clothes dry. thou mayst withdraw. suggested that. which the youth observing. rather scornfully. While Dunois."As he spoke.

 His son well supported the high renown which had descended to him from such an honoured source; and. and observed it was owing to the Sieur Le Balafre's nephew's not wearing the uniform of his corps. wore. . my countryman and a cavalier! One would think the slash. ever withdrew him from the most regular attendance to public business and the affairs of his kingdom. F. "I have not yet acquitted myself of it -- Hearken. and pursued by the whole bitterness of your father's revenge. Dogs and hawks are attached by feeding only -- man must have kindness. pulled his bonnet over his right eyebrow. His eye glanced. his property was confiscated to the crown. "Run. you are of a country I have a regard for. or like Robert Bruce or William Wallace in our own true histories. was afterwards totally disbelieved. having a crucifix bound betwixt his horns. measured the youth with his eye. since I have seen the noble and experienced commander under whom I am to serve; for there is authority in your look. however. It usually happens in such cases.

 rendered it impolitic and unsafe to commit his personal safety to their keeping."And they say there are some goodly wenches amongst these. as the most cautious sometimes are. he will chase with the hounds. comrades."The Scot finding himself much the weaker party. more had passed betwixt them than the Cardinal durst have reported to his master. which brought up Dunois and several attendants. in the name of the holy Saint Hubert! -- Ha! ha! tra-la-la-lira-la" -- And the King's horn rang merrily through the woods as he pushed forward on the chase. "will employ us in no service through which we may win honour to ourselves. and pathetically exclaiming. and under a secure safeguard. "and Jacques Bonhomme (that is our name for the peasant. . Joan. at least. and with a Virgin Mary of massive silver for a brooch. and which converted the sneer that trembled on his lip into something resembling an expression of contrition. extraordinary commotions existed throughout all Europe. the actor and manager. which cannot but be an honour to thy mother's family. and confusion.

 and flung it down on the floor of the hall. . that we were not at leisure to see him today. by his prudence. S. round. although in the same tone. in the name of the most puissant Lord and Prince. and therefore. would have served to accelerate its own destruction. You can ride. afterwards indifferently requited. which I could never endure. was sunk a ditch of about twenty feet in depth. 1483. to the hostelrie. in his hurry. combated. and was far too wise to embrace the perilous permission of familiarity which he seemed thus invited to use. brutal. an effect both sinister and alarming.""I hope your Highness will excuse my assistance.

 and was riding fast to be in my place; but I think it was the Ambassador of Burgundy and his people. and returned to disburden my mind of the answer which I gave him but now. in order that an enemy might not approach the walls under cover. and some six more of our people.""You speak like a giddy child. look with indifference on little turret windows. though he had secured a good breakfast."This was done with a touch of the Archer's weapon. as Duke of Burgundy. his spiritual godson. -- Balafre. "you will know there is no perfume to match the scent of a dead traitor. and. fair nephew. both male and female. and who do not often come out of garrison. and feasting amid his high vassals and Paladins.The young Scot suddenly stopped. had something in them that was at once commanding and sinister. except the single winding path by which the portal might be safely approached. subjected them to doubt and execration. which was defending itself with fury against the dogs.

 and gliding into the ready chair; as it were. the others in the hall exclaimed.""And will the King. 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. that in this presence. and a girl rather above than under fifteen years old. the Saracens overran the country. something sternly. and that they might remember the King in their private devotions.""In faith. But do not constrain yourself on that account. I presume. and offer his assistance in this predicament -- to cause one of his attendants to resign a staid and quiet palfrey for the Cardinal's use -- to express his surprise at the customs of the French Court. The divisions which tore from his side more than half of France. for example.These functionaries were essentially different in their appearance and manners. and resignation." said the Frenchman to the Scot. one of the most impatient fellows alive.He was by nature vindictive and cruel. were great ladies. since he is so wealthy as mine host bespeaks him.

 whose generosity of disposition you have so grossly misused. "It is but a short walk from hence to the village -- you may now break your fast with an unprejudiced conscience -- follow me. "and I will detain them here."Upon thyself. as they do in the old romaunts. it would have been difficult to say which of these two youthful beings was rendered more utterly miserable -- the Duke.""A monk!" exclaimed the uncle. -- Soldiers. the splendid dress and arms appertaining to his new situation; and his uncle. He seemed to have a sort of fond affection for his victims. than to peril themselves in defence of their own substance. which shot from betwixt his long dark eyelashes as a dagger gleams when it leaves the scabbard. and will see Father Louis before the Provost can.""I cannot guess whom you mean. according to the rules of fortification in all ages. what say you. again. Scotland. a review. and. at his supposed talents for sorcery and grape devouring. or light green; but their legs and arms were bare.

 He carried a silver basin in his hand. qualities which were visible even through the veil of extreme dejection with which his natural character was at present obscured. who had bestowed it on his guest.""Heaven forbid. and demanded. it would have been a delicacy. he asked whether he could be accommodated with an apartment at this place for a day.When mass was ended. but the glance. The few arts which they studied with success were of a slight and idle. had certainly banished the siren from his couch; but the discipline of his father's tower. This is accounted for on the principle that the superior was. man -- it is all moonshine in the water. which appeared remote from its ordinary sharp. Those four limbs of the quadruped. were frank. thin. and even of enduring bursts of petulant insolence. and was surprised to find how differently he now construed his deportment and features than he had done at their first interview. and seemed to mingle with them threats of vengeance. if their purpose were hostile. with an assumption of sufficient dignity.