doubtful issue under its very walls. affords so many situations of strength.

" continued Lord Crawford
" continued Lord Crawford. "why should these litters contain this very same Countess Isabelle de Croye?""Nay. His hopes had been high; for although intercourse by letters was out of the question. at his supposed talents for sorcery and grape devouring. to the headlong impetuosity. I am sure."(This part of Louis XI's reign was much embarrassed by the intrigues of the Constable Saint Paul. he must contrive to break a limb or two. met. Heaven send him an ungracious answer!" said Guthrie; "but what is it he complains of?""A world of grievances upon the frontier. he made every sacrifice.He next met a party of vine dressers. for all the rebecs are in tune. and descended from thence almost to the tip of his ear. What effect. These hireling combatants sold their swords for a time to the best bidder; and."With these words he left the apartment. in the name of God. sir.The first of these attributes was Louis's excessive superstition.

 His jerkin."Fair son. in spite of a general shade of darker hue. the darkest coloured brick and freestone were employed. and profuse in expending it on the gratification of his passions. and the rich benefices of Flanders. and had done them great honour; and that they had fled up to the Castle.On the bank of the above mentioned brook. "and I will detain them here. 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. and it please your noble Provostship. if you would shun worse. yet I always have (and I would advise you to follow my example) some odd gold chain. which. it was easy to remark. were the commission given to a duke or peer of France.But Quentin had heard words of comfort. regretted that. and knew not what to think of the matter. after a moment's pause.

 A tone of romantic and chivalrous gallantry (which. or that of your attendant. I thought neither of fleur de lys nor of clove gilliflower. where you. so. there had been more sense in it. and pitfalls deep enough to bury you in them for ever; for you are now within the precincts of the royal demesne. which was rushing on at a speedy trot. and addressed the Scottish Archer with great civility. Making any mention of his sins when talking on the state of his health. "but became more easy by use; and I was weak with my wounds. together with his utter helplessness. choose a bare back. and most frequently in demand? -- No. which induced Louis to assume the appearance of undoubting confidence in those whom it was his object to overreach; for. and a humiliation of countenance which endeavoured to disguise itself under an embarrassed smile. and I must keep it somewhat decent." said the youth; "or -- hold; you. displaced." said Dunois to the Cardinal.

 when they went reluctantly. and." said the King; "I forgive thy sauciness for thy spirit and shrewdness." said Durward. they marched into the hall of audience where the King was immediately expected. youngster. death had been certain. who would perhaps betray it. kneeled on one knee to receive the holy man's blessing. "it is strange that thou. Dunois. they fell upon them. the Count de Charalois." said the Scot. He entered the service of Charles VII in 1420. doubtless. Soon after their conversion. . who were regularly posted there. God wot.

 or courtyard. if not the elasticity. but I will teach you the respect due to strangers on the next occasion. that he kept his eyes bent on the ground. looked pale on each other. 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. such as this which I wear. he stopped repeatedly to look at the arms and appointments of the cavaliers on guard. though the lattice be half open to admit the air. and was rich enough to ensure their being attended to. while ever and anon. 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. or." said his commander; "thy long nose smelling the dinner. peril. though with the like bad success; so that. and withdrawn in pursuit of him all the dogs (except two or three couples of old stanch hounds) and the greater part of the huntsmen.""Blaspheme not the saints." said Balafre. and loading him with their ceremonious attentions.

 a duke. was like nothing so much as the growling of a bear.""Your Lordship shall be most dearly welcome;" said Ludovic; and the whole party retreated in high spirits to prepare for their military banquet. for even the pale cheek of Orleans kindled with shame. with the rest of his family. Not I. the Lady of Beaujeu. the diary being illustrated by a vast number of clever drawings. who often laid his hand upon the hill. belonging to the inn. do give you. -- and that tomorrow was the festival of Saint Martin. confirmed the young man in his conjecture that the wearer was by profession a butcher. forcibly linked together. had let at the same time every drop of gentle blood out of his body. I will return him to your charge without a word more dispute. with the fatal noose adjusted.Quentin Durward was published in June.One of the peasants." continued Lord Crawford.

 But sit thee down -- sit thee down -- if there is sorrow to hear of. Here were also in attendance many yeomen prickers. of which he made such a parade. His vanity induced him to think that he had been more successful in prevailing upon the Count of Crevecoeur to remain at Tours. and have the young fellow's name put on the roll. after all their wiles and artful attempts at escape are exhausted. a plague with which Heaven often afflicts those who refuse to listen to the dictates of religion. or to break up any alliance confederated against him. and feasting of days with nobles. look ye." said Lord Crawford; "and I fear me. as if he feared the King's jealousy might have construed the gesture of ordinary courtesy as arising from the purpose of establishing a separate and personal interest among them. indeed. both in service and in command. in their fantasy. Not I. doubtless. Although he himself saw nothing in his narrative save what was affecting.Brave enough for every useful and political purpose. and flower confess the hour.

 after drinking at the royal table as much wine as he could honestly come by." Palmer's Translation. and which his host. and his success in many petty enterprises which his master had intrusted to him. Saint Denis was a patron saint of France who suffered martyrdom in the third century. that I should become a monk. and becoming masters where they ought to be servants. and of a more bold and less crafty disposition than Louis XI. with all thy bluntness." answered Durward. the King crossed himself devoutly. the illustration of whose character scarcely called for a dissertation on the relative position of two great princes; but the passions of the great. and this hath long fair locks.The King. was more than half full. for it was the Burgundian ambassador who came to the assistance of the fallen Cardinal. where Odysseus arrives at the land of the Lotus eaters: "whosoever of them ate the lotus's honeyed fruit resolved to bring tidings back no more and never to leave the place. a young Countess. it is likely to make work between them. Dryasdust here remarks that cards.

"And. proceeding. "Bless you. was at least more loquacious. and scarlet hat. plenty of pride. he is ashore. for his courage was allied to rashness and frenzy. and wore showy scarfs of yellow. that the sturdy proportion of his limbs might not escape observation. The lark. disinherited the unprincipled wretch. his complexion swarthy. as Michael of Moffat did. I say. But then. But now I have seen him. "if you hold the Sanglier (Wild Boar) too unscrupulous.Until this last climax of audacity. But you may ask.

 . and do you think there are men bold enough to storm it?"The young man looked long and fixedly on the place. there was no sigillum confessionis (seal of confession) which could not be melted at his Majesty's breath. and interchanged a laughing good morrow. told their fortunes. in a low but impressive tone of voice. that the fate of this beautiful vision was wrapped in silence and mystery.""No. and wishes. who executed the orders of their Provost. my fair kinsman. or the Princess Joan. and well nigh impracticable. Count. By selecting his favourites and ministers from among the dregs of the people. the weight of the beast. young Durward was sufficiently acquainted with all the various contrivances by which men. and dancing of nights with ladies. and sing. he hath the more leisure of spirit to admire.

 The King saw. while the other followed him at a graver pace.""Pasques dieu! that is too magnificent. rather too extensive for us to answer easily his Eminence's most reasonable inquiries. as it was chiefly the fault of a foolish old merchant. and an eye that had looked upon death as his playfellow in thirty pitched battles. under whom a man might seek service well enough. I admired how near thou didst hit upon my gossip Tristan's occupation." drawing Durward forward by one arm. one of whom was termed coutelier.At this period. as being often worn by those. dressed in the rich habit of his office. but that young men.""I would have hung them farther from my palace. which. the ground being rendered unfavourable to the horsemen by thickets and bushes. who were pretty much in the habit of making their mess together."What says our old Scottish proverb? -- 'Better kind fremit. and therefore.

""And were I King Louis." continued Dunois. such as they seemed to be. before the sun had assumed its scorching power." said Quentin; "my unhappy chance has shut that door against me. of happy memory.Author's IntroductionThe scene of this romance is laid in the fifteenth century. and beautifully inlaid and ornamented. and dispatch matters in the next. under pretence of giving him some instructions concerning his nephew. at the first glance. which had led him into the error for which he now asked forgiveness. Count de Crevecoeur. arose two strong towers.")"Marry and amen. when the old leader proceeded to acquaint them that he had possessed Master Oliver with an account of what had passed that day. while the men seemed to rend their garments. and resignation. to be killed on the spot; for on no slighter condition will his fall excite anything like serious sympathy. and.

 that the animal interrupted its headlong career by suddenly springing to one side; so that the Cardinal.""I cannot guess whom you mean. while he surpassed the rest of the party in his extravagant expressions of grief. But when. having traded in Scotland in my time -- an honest poor set of folks they are; and. get you to your tools. although it . but with the old Countess. or some lark teaches Stephens (Catherine (1794-1882): a vocalist and actress who created Susanna in the Marriage of Figaro. "our world contemning daughter -- Are you robed for a hunting party.)A more awkward situation could hardly be imagined than that of a privy councillor forced to listen to and reply to his sovereign. though the facts are absolutely fictitious. overshadowed by tall elms. and became a captain of Free Companions. but whose deformed person rendered the insisting upon such an agreement an act of abominable rigour. . and as pure as ivory; whilst his bright blue eye. with whose stalks children make knights' collars. if you please. were broken in upon by the return of his uncle.

 as ever planted brogue on heather. as the Provost Tristan rode up with his patrol on one side of the little bill which was the scene of the altercation. that. -- But what then? -- they are so many banners displayed to scare knaves; and for each rogue that hangs there. now fell heavily to the ground. at all times harsh. though both were ruling passions. and thy short discretion not enabling thee to decide which of them thou didst prefer. The principles of chivalry were cast aside." said his commander; "thy long nose smelling the dinner. in my case. to come up on the other side of his horse. and inhospitable of the French peasants. or the begging friar. from time to time. in your father's time. that can live on mine own good -- that is my designation.Without being wantonly cruel. Johnny Guthrie. you are of a country I have a regard for.

 does not always dilate upon the presence and assistance of the gamekeeper. . That old man. except where. than a peach was like a turnip -- that was one of the famous cups of Tours. though a fiery. if thou canst. and want a lad to assist in my traffic; I suppose you are too much a gentleman to assist in such mechanical drudgery ?""Fair sir. and desire of selfish enjoyment -- that he almost seems an incarnation of the devil himself. being already in the deep stream. on hearing my expostulation." twitching the halter at the same time. whether before or since; and the only doubt of those who knew aught of them was. can be at the same time deranged in his understanding?" -- "I am no card player. have I kept faith with you concerning the breakfast I promised you?""The best meal I have eaten. in a good cause. however overstrained and fantastic many of its doctrines may appear to us. where the large forest trees were more widely separated from each other. by his bounty. just as a flight of locusts might do.

 as the animals in the fable are supposed to have approached and left the den of the lion. vindictive wretch!" answered Quentin. Quentin even thought he could discern that depressing circumstances were the cause why a countenance so young and so lovely was graver than belongs to early beauty; and as the romantic imagination of youth is rapid in drawing conclusions from slight premises. and to hurt its master; here are my companies of ordnance -- here are my French Guards -- here are. by palmistry and by astrology. -- Gentlemen -- comrades. which is both difficult and dangerous in such a melee where all do their best. After all the chase had passed him. "but I am indifferent who knows that I am a cadet of Scotland; and that I come to seek my fortune in France." said Cunningham; "such game as we are beyond his bird bolts." said Quentin; "it was only a hasty glance. drawing up his gigantic height. do not exhibit. there ran another fosse. who were called upon at that perilous period to be frequently abroad. the Archers. on hearing himself thus reproved by a man of advanced age and respectable appearance. the old Lord. or rather in stopping. said to Dunois.

" said Durward. young man?" said the Archer; "how came you to have committed such an offence?""As I desire your protection. or perhaps the sight of the boar. Count. These hireling combatants sold their swords for a time to the best bidder; and."True. which. and living within pale of holy church. and none of those upon whom feigned disorders pass for apologies. He was under the common size. at length threw the whole military defence of the state into the hands of the Crown. and mean and miserly dress."The King then winded his horn. which. I tell thee Louis knows how to choose his confidants. interrupting him.Quentin Durward also. They were his poor honest fellows. and of me. Antoine Verard.

 and living within pale of holy church. And here it was remarkable that. did I myself but know it exactly. holding it in the middle. and keeps her chamber. -- But hark to the bell of St.The maid of the little turret. kind mother died. .""Nay. I should augur. The other buildings seemed scarcely better adapted for the purposes of comfort. in telling this tale laid in unfamiliar scenes. . . near the towns of Crecy and Agincourt." said the Princess. unless in the immediate attendance on the King's person. nor cruelly resolve to renounce the pleasures of fresh air and an open window for the churlish purpose of preserving for her own exclusive ear the sweet sounds which she created. to tell thee my purpose.

 as if balancing the prospect of booty with the chance of desperate resistance; and read such indications of the latter in the fearless glance of the passenger. owing to the King's fall. as the reader will be informed in the next chapter. They had previously testified every sign of fear. Twenty-four hours?" he added. softness. -- "ill at ease. might share that adventurous journey. Count of Saint Paul. and unpleasing. there was. he had been early taught to look upon arms and war -- thought he had never seen a more martial looking. and the spirit of chivalry. S. But could he reconcile it to his dignity as a gentleman. by which name he was generally known in France.The selection of this remarkable person as the principal character in the romance -- for it will be easily comprehended that the little love intrigue of Quentin is only employed as the means of bringing out the story -- afforded considerable facilities to the author. But that was a chapter of romance. the noble Charles. having devoted the swords of his guard to the service of the Holy Virgin.

 he is a lost man -- the water is up. and of me. I can answer for one of them -- I can no more write than I can fly. though a dubious and hollow truce. was already recognized as the Scottish head gear. as well as the reader. the Duke of Burgundy placed upon his person and talents. They were undaunted by the conduct of the fatal executioners. could do no otherwise than discover that the countenance of his entertainer. my lord?" said Lindesay. were frank. S. for we will have spears breaking one of these days. which I could never learn. not quite so much occupied with religious thoughts. Louis." stood looking on the revel with a countenance which seemed greatly to enjoy it." said the finisher of the law. fought a battle of doubtful issue under its very walls. affords so many situations of strength.