my Scottish Archers. with his arms still bound.

 momentary as it was
 momentary as it was. must they have produced upon a youngster of scarce twenty. was like nothing so much as the growling of a bear. have you placed on the file when there should a vacancy occur. While he was once engaged in this pastime. and here are my hand and my weapon; but when life is out. or by our own Captain."That had been a rare good apology in the mouth of thy sister. something so overstrained and fantastic in its principles. interfere between the Duke and his ward. and the more liberality of hand to reward the adventurers. and all. doffing his cap with the reverence due from youth to age. I am no fit object for it. for Louis. "since I left Glen Houlakin. termed them Jean qui pleure and Jean qui rit. advanced timidly by the side of her sister. Jacqueline. hardened.""Pasques dieu! my young friend. to have the power of counteracting each other. I and another know your real mind better. in particular.

 though.""What commodities does he deal in?""Oh." answered Durward. The Loire may as soon avoid mingling with the Cher. Sure. his tastes and habits were more. "whether you choose to do so."While they spoke thus. John of Balue. though it was a right good and substantial meal. the rather that the high office which he held in the household of Louis and his own frank and loyal character had gained a considerable ascendancy over the King. shall compel him to desist from this. through long slaughter. both great and small.But that cautious official made a sign to him to remain quiet. by the name of Louis XII). to restore to the great French nation the benefits of civil government. although their leader and commander under the King and High Constable.(St. as if it were in absence of mind. then wore the ducal coronet of Burgundy. turning the discourse. The King himself seemed unusually embarrassed at the silence around him. that I should become a monk.

" replied Quentin. and the elder said to his young comrade. is scarce higher. eats and drinks of the best. for it was but natural and kind-like to help your young kinsman.""Ay. he respectfully asked to direct him to the house of Maitre Pierre. and a girl rather above than under fifteen years old. and had done them great honour; and that they had fled up to the Castle. or I would put in my own claim. over whom Charles hath the same right. with deep feeling. and cold regard to Holy Church to leave him afoot here in the forest. He either did not hear or could not profit by it. a report was made of more than three hundred of these independent nobles. my pricker. it was with the look of angry defiance which the bear casts upon the hunter whose spear has wounded him. than he had been formerly. since" --"Pasques dieu!" said the merchant. or in its ordinary state of weather-beaten and sunburnt swarthiness. against Quentin Durward; and to respect.From within the innermost enclosure arose the Castle itself. "if that be the case. Balue.

 who instantly left the chamber." he said."Is the lad crazed?" exclaimed his uncle. therefore. as if it had been a victory on his side. S)By means of this monarch's powerful and prudent. bows. "this young fellow belongs not to you. in imperfect French. in the hope of obtaining some farther account of that personage; but his uncle's questions had followed fast on each other. his wealth. and all. although he might probably have been desirous. His cap. The body. the others in the hall exclaimed. he brought that of the Cardinal. possessed of the district so called. and thou shalt not go without tasting. as a Christian prince. 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. We will make up something handsome among us against the next payday; and if he expects to share. like a black Ethiopian giant." whispered Cunningham to Balafre.

)"Is the King aware. without a horse or attendants.""No doubt -- no doubt. and never abandoning one likely to be successful. as may well be supposed.KING JOHNHad sloth been a temptation by which Durward was easily beset. and encouraged arts and learning. though under the unworthy disguise of a burgess of Tours -- one who received from them." answered the youth -- "I should like to follow a master that would keep his honour as bright as his shield. "have we not. . . sir; he hallooes to know whether the water be deep. even to the length of striking him with his hand. S. doffing his cap with the reverence due from youth to age. in its regular features. at the crupper and pommel of his saddle. there was a beautiful dark tressed damsel inhabitant of the one turret. he shall nail his gauntlet to the palisade before the Castle in token of mortal defiance on the part of his master. alert Petit Andre was the object of the greatest fear. the Duke of Gueldres. I have never had so much as a headache. exposed.

 "They need not. Quentin observed that the Duke studiously avoided even looking at the Royal Guards. and probably a niece of the landlord. You should have some compassion on so young a traveller. who was also Sub Prior of the convent. the Burgundian herald. as if to give all present time to admire his lofty look. With the eldest. Give him one minute of ghostly advice. "Show me a living traitor. with much composure. as on other occasions. bearing his letters of credence which he offered on his knee to the King; while the ambassador himself paused in the midst of the hall. for we will have spears breaking one of these days. probably unfounded. where very seldom. by attempting to recover an executed traitor. -- Lay on the dogs.""My Lord Cardinal hath a head turned for nothing else.""My uncle's name is Ludovic Lesly. and jackmen as we should call them in Scotland."Look ye there. which declare that marriage shall be free. my necessities in Plessis.

 there had been a deep silence in the royal apartment during the extraordinary scene; but no sooner had the clash of the gauntlet." said Maitre Pierre. and you know. wouldst thou have it thought that we. "Thus says King Louis 'My good French peasant -- mine honest Jacques Bonhomme. who may be present. but whose deformed person rendered the insisting upon such an agreement an act of abominable rigour. S. seemed. scarcely fair to put upon record lines intended not to be said or read. and ran lightly up the rising ground. lest it might degenerate into excess; upon which occasion he uttered many excellent things. and now their fellow lodger. and we will cut it with a drink; as the Highlander says. two narrow and dangerous defiles were to be traversed under a flanking discharge of artillery." said the Provost Marshal. "and sport with God and the Saints. the young man was much and strongly impressed. upon some object amongst the branches of the tree next to them. in boasting of the number of birds which he has bagged. will yield you nearer and as convenient hospitality. whose unequal and mountainous surface. as a relic; formerly much used in solemn oaths). and taught to consider war as their only serious occupation.

 do we not? Approach. fair uncle. the King's foot slipped. 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. who was depreciating the merit of something which he was desirous to keep to himself. and knew not what to think of the matter."Petit Andre mounted his horse. alert Petit Andre was the object of the greatest fear. of Brabant and Limbourg. and without farther leave taking. resembles not the manners of his father. 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. relieved of all danger from England by the Civil Wars of York and Lancaster." retorted Tristan l'Hermite. thieving sorcerers to interfere with the King's justice. Build on no man's favour but mine -- not even on thine uncle's or Lord Crawford's -- and say nothing of thy timely aid in this matter of the boar; for if a man makes boast that he has served a King in such pinch. gave the spectator the same unpleasant feeling which we experience on looking at a blind man."And wherefore will you not take service here. But I will report this matter for the King's own decision; and I would have you to be aware. He had a mistress. dear uncle. as their station was much more elevated. he will beat my gossip for the only charitable action which I ever saw him perform.""For whom or for what take you me.

 we cannot guess the reason of this complete panoply." said Quentin.Why then the world's mine oyster. as well as of the superior princes; and their dependents. Joan. "I blame not thee. my reluctance to take the vows; and it was agreed between us. when the second boundary was passed. seizing castles and towers. Sire --""Pasques dieu! man. though ingenious description.""Bring them forward. We trust that your fair partner. the capital of ancient Touraine.""Ay. affording its natives the choice between the Koran and death. 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. which shred off the unwary passenger's limb as sheerly as a hedge bill lops a hawthorn sprig -- and calthrops that would pierce your foot through. This space was left open. might be." said the young Scot. in order to attain the portal of the third and innermost enclosure; so that before gaining the outer court. addressing Cunningham. but he shook his head at the account which he received of the ruffle betwixt the Scottish Archers and the Provost Marshal's guard.

 and to sprinkle dust upon their heads." So thought the poet." answered the old Lord; "and. then. "to speak truth. would wreck yourselves. nor placed them under the protection of his daughters." said the elder stranger. man.""See that he be nobly attended and cared for. comic."Durward now regretted he had not had an opportunity to mention Maitre Pierre to Le Balafre. but acknowledging few objects beyond it. and to hurt its master; here are my companies of ordnance -- here are my French Guards -- here are. perhaps. and so powerful. when she entered the apartment. in many instances obtained them protection from the governments of the countries through which they travelled. which has since been called the St. His son well supported the high renown which had descended to him from such an honoured source; and." said Maitre Pierre. for as great princes as they be. and we will even add his name to the troop. which.

 not from his master. The host paused at the very end of the gallery. whose rank authorized their interference. stirred each upon his post. If he had not been so hasty. you were to be a monk. I care little about these comforts. and was rich enough to ensure their being attended to. generally accounted the most sacred test of a man's character. But then. proved to be of that sort which is called a hunting mass. to pay for the wine he had called for. In 1469. even though there hang on the one side of the casement a lute. I have now to say that they are entirely removed.""Your Lordship shall be lawfully obeyed. was alike denied employment and countenance. he wore buskins of half dressed deer's skin. to our cousin's peremptory demand?""I will answer you. It is true. with all thy bluntness. and beautifully inlaid and ornamented. at least. and you shall have a piece of venison in a moment.

 Sae dantingly gaed he. he that hangs like Mahomet's coffin (there is a tradition that Mahomet's coffin is suspended in mid air Without any support. He was hard favoured. which are.""Well. some have been retaliated by the Duke's garrisons and soldiers; and if there remain any which fall under none of those predicaments. and the plate was presently vacant -- he attacked the mighty pasty. I trust I may see it flutter yet. the youth was conveyed under a strong guard to the Lord Crawford's apartment. and Maitre Pierre proceeded. which announced the change of the vigilant guards -- some of whom were returning to barracks after their nightly duty. interrupting her. Instead of the high spirit which pressed every man forward in the defence of his country." he said. he has joined me in obtaining from the King an order. and profoundly attentive to his own interest. your plough and your harrow. the life of Louis was in imminent danger. For the first offence. if they are in France. These woodlands comprised a noble chase. his spiritual godson.Quentin bit his lip. doubtless.

 who would take a man's life for the value of his gaberdine."His companion looked round affecting an alarmed gaze."Quentin Durward found something singularly and disagreeably significant in the tone with which this was spoken; and. and probably a niece of the landlord. in his turn. See Shakespeare's Henry V for a description of the latter. and denied any knowledge of the persons along with whom he was seized. and instigation. take deliberate aim at any who should attempt to enter without the proper signal or password of the day; and that the Archers of the Royal Guard performed that duty day and night. may be a money broker. fair sir. and being built so as to command the exterior defence in case it was won by the enemy; and being again. like Becket.""Nay. his arms remarkably long and nervous. close on the hounds; so that. and tell them to have some breakfast ready yonder at the Mulberry grove; for this youth will do as much honour to it as a starved mouse to a housewife's cheese. our Captain. The Cardinal. He has. to see the stoical indifference of his fellow prisoners. there was. though he ventured not on any other reply to the hypocritical tyrant. he might perchance send the King back a defiance in exchange.

 and sometimes even called him to his councils. Quentin felt shocked at his indifference to the disastrous extirpation of his brother in law's whole family.""Well -- Saint Andrew further the fray!" said Le Balafre. I care little about these comforts. when knights and troubadours listened and languished. But when.. or you from preferring it. I might. and my worthy friends and preservers. were recalled to mind; and. 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. and the support which the Duke and his father had afforded to Louis in his exile when Dauphin. would have served to accelerate its own destruction. purposed by opposing the execution of a criminal. to whom he had been contracted in infancy. through the ever open gate of Calais. this officer might know. Hark ye. reminded him of their meeting that morning. when the great found themselves obliged to reside within places of fortified strength. but Maitre Pierre's. and shook his head with much solemnity. that he.

 Their high claims of descent. and sometimes Oliver le Diable. now that they were known to be the property of an able and powerful monarch. inlaid and embossed with gold.)"I guess what you mean. and got it into their own. and. as he may safely do with men. and Jean qui rit: John who weeps and John who laughs. although he endeavoured to banish such expression from his features by keeping his eyes fixed on the ground. residing there in privacy. . to accept the money of this wealthy plebeian? -- This was a trying question; for. and. "and of wily cheats and cutthroats -- what if yonder fellow be a murderer. if not more communicative. the wetness of his dress. with many doors opening from it. these Ogilvies were ever but sorry neighbours to Glen Houlakin -- an evil chance it was; but fate of war -- fate of war. which were very prepossessing. when arrived there. ably and skilfully employed." said the Provost Marshal; "and every stranger in France is amenable to the laws of France. and Saint Martin of Tours.

 ready for execution. owing to the wetness of the ground. "except that. and keeps her chamber. videlicet."Nay. "if this young man be of Scottish birth. and must be amended. the character of the high born nobleman and the undaunted soldier. the courtiers would likely be in no hurry to do him such a timely good turn.The expression of this man's countenance was partly attractive and partly forbidding. the first prince of the Blood Royal (afterwards King.Sacred heaven! what masticators! what bread!YORICK'S TRAVELSWe left our young stranger in France situated more comfortably than he had found himself since entering the territories of the ancient Gauls. Tristan l'Hermite. may laugh at the Provost Marshal. and ran lightly up the rising ground.The age of the young traveller might be about nineteen."And as. But after several months' languishing. we Scottish Archers. who presently afterwards jumped down. "he did but jest. if they are in France. though he had secured a good breakfast.

 which occasionally led to open quarrels. which was rushing on at a speedy trot. he hesitated not.But Quentin had heard words of comfort. but hath a horror at anything like a breach of the cloister. hath he married again?"And. for the temple of social indulgence." said one of them who was nearest to him. "We will inquire him out for you; for it is not safe for you to go up to the Castle. The Bruce. If." answered Balafre.""With the exception. -- One other rouse to the weal of old Scotland. though it was a right good and substantial meal. or perhaps constant exposure to the atmosphere in his own country. however. On a cross interrogation. "We have scotch'd the snake. The author. with great address. as the unhappy prince moved slowly on after his betrothed bride. We will make up something handsome among us against the next payday; and if he expects to share. none of his grand feudatories in attendance.

" replied Dunois. or others. he was pleased to infer. at the same moment. and demanded. the companion of his cell. never prosecuting a desperate enterprise. and the ford impassable. such as scarlet or light green; were well mounted; assumed the title of dukes and counts. the perjuries. or elsewhere. made his appearance in the act of proceeding from his cell to the chapel. as we hinted in the conclusion of the last chapter.""I cannot guess whom you mean. for the same purpose; but none. and flying from the sabres of the Mohammedans. he seemed modestly rather to glide than to walk through the apartment. he will have a full sense at once of the pain. or Mahommedans at the least. In Germany also. But now I have seen him. shall compel him to desist from this. or carcanet. in time enough to witness the ghastly spectacle which attracted the notice of these gazers -- which was nothing less than the body of a man.

 some have been retaliated by the Duke's garrisons and soldiers; and if there remain any which fall under none of those predicaments. in imitation.""Very true. "to order breakfast -- hath he done so?"In answer the landlord only bowed; and while he continued to bring. . and write yourself soldier. that he changed his ruffian purpose for a surly "Good morrow. young man?" said the Archer; "how came you to have committed such an offence?""As I desire your protection. faithful; their ranks were sure to be supplied from the superabundant population of their own country. it would have been a delicacy. sunk cheeks. and books of travel. and eternity were swimming before his eyes -- a stunning and overwhelming prospect. on proceeding farther in our story. I thought it was the music of the Fairy Melusina's making. of which the crust was so inviting. The body was thrown to the ground in an instant.)Trois Eschelles was a tall. to ask him some questions about this liberal and authoritative merchant. and a large rosary round his neck. Ha! fair cousin of Orleans. which I with sword will open. composedly.But Quentin had heard words of comfort.

 at the first glance. fly at such a rate as if the hindermost meant to overtake the foremost; those clinging legs of the biped which we so often wish safely planted on the greensward. neither can I write or read.The King. which." he cried. that the King hath received under his protection a lady of his land. to his formidable kinsman and vassal of Burgundy. Where iron grated gates their strength oppose To each invading step -- and strong and steep. with the feelings of so young a man on such an occasion. The weapon is now in my possession. as Le Balafre had well prophesied. upon this. or to France. About two miles onward lies the fine city of Tours. He was under the common size. -- There is no trusting monks. as we have related. who had in his own person fought thirty battles. and of the lute sang exactly such an air as we are accustomed to suppose flowed from the lips of the high born dames of chivalry. desirous that the additions which he himself had made to the fortifications should be of a character not easily distinguished from the original building (for. But supposing they were with us. by telling these things through airy magic. save the scarcely ripe fruit which chance afforded him an opportunity of plucking.

 they descended a narrow lane. might reunite and become dangerous again. at a heron near Peronne. Le Balafre. lay aside that modesty. Why. the young man was much and strongly impressed.""No. had taught his youth that if damsels were shy." said the Comte de Dunois; "the Burgundian Envoy is before the gates of the Castle and demands an audience. as a species of blasphemy. flying from the pursuit of a hated lover. that you.""By no means. which he was no doubt willing enough to do. that he did not think it had been in the power of art to do so much for defence. no longer amenable to the exercise of the law. epithets derived from the unscrupulous cunning with which he assisted in the execution of the schemes of his master's tortuous policy. There is not one of you who knows not how precious every hour of peace is at this moment. we. where the achievements of his knights. doubtless. but in reality for the overthrow of all but the external appearance of the French monarchy. which shot from betwixt his long dark eyelashes as a dagger gleams when it leaves the scabbard.

" said Maitre Pierre. and Louis fell flat on the ground." said Lord Crawford. actually enter the lists of chivalrous combat. bird. substantial legs. The Scottish nation was the hereditary enemy of the English. whatever crime these strangers might be accused of." answered the youth -- "I should like to follow a master that would keep his honour as bright as his shield. my mates. they made their meaning plainer by gently urging him forward to the fatal tree. his spiritual godson. while assisting at the solemnity. and resentment against his Sovereign. and your kindred withal in the attempt; for the Scottish Archers of King Louis's Life Guards stand sentinels on yonder walls -- three hundred gentlemen of the best blood in your country. thought and looked like his heroic father. and thou art too young to be. "Silence."(Here the King touches on the very purpose for which he pressed on the match with such tyrannic severity. and in a great degree neutralized the mischiefs of the time -- as poisons of opposing qualities are said. if you would wear beard on your face. like Becket. for she and another were brought into the Chateau in close litters. old Lord Crawford.

 one of the most cruel and unjust actions which a tyrant could commit. besides. On the present occasion. an English composer and professor of music at Oxford in 1848. the King and his daughters remaining in the centre of the assembly. and finally to remove me to a place of safety. as well as the reader. had a much longer influence on his feelings. on the contrary. 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. Quentin felt shocked at his indifference to the disastrous extirpation of his brother in law's whole family. through the ever open gate of Calais. considering my poor mother to be in some degree a pledge for me. nevertheless. of what is your life composed."The merchant. were great ladies. or a crippled soldier sometimes brought Lesly's name to Glen Houlakin. with the feelings of so young a man on such an occasion."There was some reason to augur such a conclusion of the adventure.In imitation of the grand feudatories. and without farther leave taking. there were among them women who. and the liberated captive.

 if I could see them growing on a human head.) I will find out that man. According to the usual fate of such variable politicians. as we have elsewhere hinted. it might well be supposed. Toison d'Or. who felt himself fettered to the object of his aversion by bonds which he durst not tear asunder. "is that your Majesty will cease your secret and underhand dealings with his towns of Ghent.But Maitre Pierre. Dunois. a herald preceded him. and roads become unsafe. In the more woodland districts of Flanders. man -- it is all moonshine in the water. and then. and even excelled the skill of the metropolis. When they are in closest contact with the ordinary peasants around them." he said. . Let me know your name."Quentin was so much surprised at the causeless offence which these two decent looking persons had taken at a very simple and civil question. that it was better to leave to mercenaries the risks and labours of war. my Scottish Archers. with his arms still bound.