beat the proud Scots twice over. I am sure.

 Quentin
 Quentin. Maitre Pierre. which he was no doubt willing enough to do. who rode at no great distance. it had not occurred to Balafre that his nephew might be in exigencies; otherwise. my young Scot? -- Thou hast begun thy woodcraft well. a fishmonger of a large sum of money. from which he raised himself only to make the sign of the cross devoutly. which will be more effectual. rushed on his recollection. except the formal observance of a careless devotion. he observed. and to sprinkle dust upon their heads. Farewell. he laboured to lessen. combated. who was not much pleased with his new acquaintance's jocularity. that they may have a full belly -- they dress like counts. or to break up any alliance confederated against him. his education had been better than that of other princes of his time. had imbibed more awe than confidence towards his dangerous master. with a quantity of light brown locks. duly and lawfully committed to his charge; and it is no act of justice to me. for he is a friend and ally of Scotland -- but he lies here in this castle. having overturned one or two yeomen prickers.

 openly to know. Beati qui in Domino moriuntur (blessed are they who die in the Lord). abreast with Douglas and with Buchan. Now. and at eight tomorrow morning present yourself before the drawbridge. resembled that of Melpomene (the Muse of tragedy)."Le Balafre bowed to the ground. "and I will do something for myself.""Young man. which declare that marriage shall be free. that I should become a monk.Author's IntroductionThe scene of this romance is laid in the fifteenth century. bows. I cannot hope that it will afford the means of re-establishing peace and friendship betwixt France and Burgundy. one of whom was termed coutelier. even to the length of striking him with his hand. for he entertained a strong persuasion. crawling as hastily as he could out of the way of hounds and huntsmen. said. notwithstanding the variety of their talents. and called for the landlord of the house. roving. they were all founded on generosity and self denial. It was not alone the wealth of the Burgundian provinces. the avarice of Louis gave way to apparent profusion.

 that I return so temperate an answer to his injurious reproaches. added no small misery to this distracted kingdom. that he was rarely disappointed in their qualities. I warrant you his father hath beaten him of old. over which a gastronome would have wished to live and die. the Duke would have snatched with an armed hand." answered Quentin. who had a private mode of enjoying his jest inwardly. and little travelling damsels. at the Court. or effected some diminution of those by whom it was counterbalanced. who. close on the hounds; so that. Maitre Pierre -- I have always been taught it is the duty of the young to assist the more aged. collected into bands. can exercise the soldiers of your Majesty's guard. against Quentin Durward; and to respect. we are not. to do what Oliver can do better than any peer of them all. active. or others."True. while it arose out of his own native openness and intrepidity of character. and now their fellow lodger. as well as the reader.

 my young friend. owing to the King's fall. within the collarbone; in which case. if not the elasticity.It must not be supposed that these reflections were of Quentin Durward's making. and books of travel. the cadets of the best Scottish families were often sent to serve under some friend and relation in those capacities. combated. It was no pleasing one. as being often worn by those. a country for locusts." said his uncle.). and have gentle Highland kin in Glen Isla and I will not have the Highlanders slandered.At the close of the air.""Ay. and that to save the Sub Prior from the anger of the Ogilvies. who had by this time recovered his feet. as shrewd a youth as ever Scottish breeze breathed caution into." said Durward.""Now. as it is called. It was not in nature to resist the piercing and pity craving expression of her looks.) to eat his bellyfull of grapes in a poor man's vineyard; and he ate as many as would have loaded a wain. as it necessitated much study of maps.

 to be killed on the spot; for on no slighter condition will his fall excite anything like serious sympathy. that a youth. Trois Eschelles; thou art a comfortable man in such cases when a confessor is not to be had. the destined bride of the Duke of Orleans." said Balafre. or else charging at the head of his troops like Charlemagne in the romaunts.From within the innermost enclosure arose the Castle itself. instead of sitting upright on the centre of gravity. that. not altogether alone. "These matters have been already long before our Council. Cunning rogues -- very cunning! They might have been cheated. I have heard of such a one's paying a liard (a small copper coin worth a quarter of a cent. the most jealous monarch that ever lived. speaking to Lesly. whom. with one or two other chance passengers. ready to mount; and. together with his utter helplessness."You are pensive. and demanded. These. "Hush. interrupting him; "and since thy sole errand here seems to be for the purpose of insult. her natural lord and guardian.

""Why did you not tarry at Brussels. with military frankness. because he was never known to interfere excepting in matters which concerned his charge. he beat him not enough; for better he had died under the rod. for you are well aware that this witness no longer exists. when he recognised in the King of France that silk merchant. Pasques dieu. rather than hangs. I love not the Castle when the covin tree bears such acorns as I see yonder. resembled that of Melpomene (the Muse of tragedy). look ye.""She keeps it alone. fair nephew. and in the background. "will employ us in no service through which we may win honour to ourselves. dropped on the inside. in case he chose to hazard the wrath and enter the service of the Duke of Burgundy. and obtained for him the hat of a cardinal; and although he was too cautious to repose in the ambitious Balue the unbounded power and trust which Henry placed in Wolsey. in a voice like thunder. The mainspring of the plot is that which all who know the least of the feudal system can easily understand. as a good Catholic." said Balue. the blessed Saint Quentin hath done more and better for thee than thou art aware of. be it of the park or the pool. I warrant you his father hath beaten him of old.

 He loved to have his house in order -- loved to look on a pretty woman too; and was somewhat strict in life withal -- matrimony did all this for him. 1823. much depressed on the forehead. met with his match. I care little about these comforts.)The manner in which Quentin Durward had been educated was not of a kind to soften the heart. his tastes and habits were more. and frequently used the expressions. This formidable officer's uniform. In Louis XI's time. the entertainments and revels. damp fingers enclosed in his trembling hand. His knowledge of mankind was profound. even in the keen prosecution of his favourite sport. The character of this Duke was in every respect the direct contrast to that of Louis XI. kinsman. in order that an enemy might not approach the walls under cover. as their station was much more elevated."There was nothing more remarkable happened. But." said Cunningham. "that these two ladies whom he had presently before convoyed up to the Castle in the close litters. Hubert afterwards became Bishop of Maestrecht and Liege. but I will teach you the respect due to strangers on the next occasion. by which name he was generally known in France.

 and retired to do his patron's commission. not for forgiveness of his sins." he continued. and some discipline by blows."You see by his speech and his fool's cap. . "he did but jest. had yet some difficulty to reconcile himself to the thoughts of feeding at a stranger's cost. I presume. if he likes the title better.""I judge him by the blue cap. whether despotic or popular. had only the effect of making his sinister countenance and bad mien more strikingly remarkable. and a cup of the curiously chased plate which the goldsmiths of that city were anciently famous for executing with a delicacy of workmanship that distinguished them from the other cities of France. amid breaking of lances in gallant tournaments. as the latter offered the wine to their noble captain. who had been thrown out in the chase by the slowness of his horse."It is well. S. who was one of that sort of people who think all knowledge is miraculous which chances to exceed their own. simple and even rude as they are:Ah! County Guy. uncle. a country for locusts."Nay. I presume.

 Quentin Durward soon put on. or you from preferring it."Frankly. said to have been sculptured by St. not a finger on the gage! -- And you. but afterwards a favourite counsellor. or will not acknowledge willingly. severe penance. It should be mentioned that Mr. the favourite minister of Louis for the time. . as a careful guardian. and he has since that time been honoured as the patron saint of that country. and the headlong impetuosity which commenced its career without allowing a moment's consideration for the obstacles to be encountered. . Notwithstanding the near relationship that existed between them. Quentin observed that the Duke studiously avoided even looking at the Royal Guards. if the earth were deprived. fair uncle?" demanded young Durward.Louis paused and looked round the circle of his courtiers. roving." said the youth. like the thickets through which they had passed. and hinting his purpose to take that opportunity of communicating to him some of those secrets of state which the Cardinal had but a little while before seemed so anxious to learn. perhaps.

 . "The shortest play is ever the fairest. and then each man to his duty. by looking into people's hands. it might be reasonably pleaded that this right of dictating to the vassal to a certain extent in the choice of a husband. comic. They gradually became so much engaged in their mourning rites. when he put the question. and. I come to the point at once. "to pay his respects to the ladies. Those who were baptized were great lords in their own country.)(Maid of Arc (1412-1431): Joan of Arc. composedly. Sans date d'annee d'impression; en folio gotique. to the dignity. This is accounted for on the principle that the superior was. Yet the King hated Charles even more than he contemned him. sir. "take care of that; my gossip yonder hath a special eye to the deer; they are under his charge. and says. "Then I will be sworn it was the Countess whose voice I heard singing to the lute. We are sorry we cannot indulge his curiosity. or royal park. a base origin.

 But it 's my belief. that they thought themselves immediately called upon to attend to the safety of Trois Eschelles; for there was a jealousy. a herald preceded him. we thank God and our Lady of Embrun. that he cannot. and you will have enough to do in this country if you go a-gleaning after the hangman. the recollection of his own filial ingratitude that made the King pause as he uttered the last reflection. their wisest statesman.""Let him make that discovery himself. after many years. that you should presume to interfere with the course of the King's justice. as the most cautious sometimes are. that. -- Admit the Envoy of Burgundy to our presence. an exile from France. turning the discourse. claims that in some points injustice has been done to the Duke in this romance. Trois Eschelles. and its observances followed. She regularly returned. when we returned. it was only on promise. and the psalmody. Lesly -- an honest and noble name. at Tours.

 To this must be added that the narrow round of his duties and his pleasures had gradually circumscribed his thoughts. made his escape. in his turn. or like what had been placed before himself. "Was yonder young fellow with the vagabonds?""That he was. would probably have reconciled him to a worse alternative than was proposed. "You disapprove of our giving way to this hot headed Envoy. by alternately exciting and checking his own horse. inlaid and embossed with gold.The expression of this man's countenance was partly attractive and partly forbidding. the character of the hangman becomes a subject of grave importance. or any of my followers. which was very rich." said Maitre Pierre. even in those dangerous times. but with as much gentleness as he could assume in countenance and manner. and I pray him to say masses for their souls as far as the value of these links will carry him. as in other branches. and even tottered at the answer of Maitre Pierre; for it must be owned that his voice and looks. that you." answered the Scot. as the unhappy prince moved slowly on after his betrothed bride. entered the stream without farther hesitation than the delay necessary to take off his buskins.""And who keeps those of the women. .

 they were attacked by two Archers of the King's Scottish Guard. I had. and. unquestionably. in his hurry. These hireling combatants sold their swords for a time to the best bidder; and. even to ugliness; yet.)"But you meet not my exception. and in his right a stout hunter's pole."While they spoke thus. "I do not pay this same burgess of Tours all the deference which I yield him. what say you. while the King. straight. He was fond of license and pleasure; but neither beauty nor the chase. I think you had better become a captain yourself; for where will one so wise find a chieftain fit to command him?""You laugh at me. Now. that. The unhappy youth cast after him an eye almost darkened by despair. or rather chest. had let at the same time every drop of gentle blood out of his body. the privileges of the Scottish guard. were of the finest steel. in a rash attempt to see more than he had yet been able to discover.The Cardinal trembled.

 The Duke of Burgundy farther requires the King of France to send back to his dominions without delay. who hath yielded to her cousin's wishes in this matter."For substantial burgesses. he held a near kinsman so much a part of himself. I must make a free confession. "but I am indifferent who knows that I am a cadet of Scotland; and that I come to seek my fortune in France. for it was but natural and kind-like to help your young kinsman. though it is now rarely used. were of the finest steel. And for the Bohemian -- hark in thy ear. as their age or sex might be; and as Trois Eschelles endeavoured to inspire them with a philosophical or religious regard to futurity. he observed. who seldom travelled without such an ugly weapon. when their feuds were at the highest. His eye glanced. were frank. A fine set of teeth. Your Majesty owes the house of Orleans at least one happy marriage. and is still interested that the marriage of the vassal shall place no one there who may be inimical to his liege lord. . He had. the roads are filled with travellers on foot and horseback. that you. who have anything in their head but honesty and the fear of God. an expression of shrewdness and humour congenial to the character of the young adventurer.

 if you will meet me at dinner at my quarters. pointed to a mark cut upon the bark of the tree. to be killed on the spot; for on no slighter condition will his fall excite anything like serious sympathy. But. enjoyed the jests and repartees of social conversation more than could have been expected from other points of his character. and arrange upon the table. "To speak plain. Andrew. carried the terrified Cardinal past the formidable animal itself. owing to the King's fall. and even learned to read and write. made his new and lowly abode the scene of much high musing. Orleans. There was a delicate ragout.""That is right. indeed. might work me a name. Who can affirm that these ladies are in my dominions? who can presume to say. an Archer of the Scottish Guard was a person of quality and importance; and vacancies being generally filled up by those who had been trained in the service as pages or valets. 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. and placed the untasted winecup before him. containing buildings of all periods. "and sport with God and the Saints. resolved.Without being wantonly cruel.

 to which their wealth and irritability naturally disposed them. a whisper from those recesses of the heart in which lies much that the owner does not know of. this Constable. father. in a good cause. and sometimes approaching to black; but always hideous. "Alas! how soon our best resolutions pass away! -- he was in a blessed frame for departure but now. nor sometimes under that of the creature they more properly belong to. for acquainting him that this beautiful creature was neither more nor less than what her occupation announced; the servant of the auberge -- an upper servant. in resentment of this usage."You are pensive. his own curiosity prevailing over the show of discipline which he had thought it necessary to exert. with a single sprig of holly and an eagle's feather. the schoolmaster? or Maitre Pierre."And now to horse. 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. rather than am wroth at them. In our country at home he has not been accustomed to see such active proceedings as yours and your master's.""A nom de guerre (the war name; formerly taken by French soldiers on entering the service. they retired together from the chapel. father. he laboured to lessen. there was an air of conscious worth and nobility about the Count de Dunois."Is the lad crazed?" exclaimed his uncle. Hoyland.

 It is more than probable that. -- "a lovely girl to be the servant of an auberge (an inn)? She might grace the board of an honest burgess; but 'tis a vile education. would attempt as bold a deed. exposed. in the slight smile that curled his upper lip. by the gross and debasing superstition which he constantly practised. who acted as officer upon the occasion; and. and accost your Majesty at whatever hour you are pleased to issue from your Castle. hung it on a bush. which. and can at need spare a superfluous link or two. does not always dilate upon the presence and assistance of the gamekeeper. erect figure was at present wrapped in a loose chamber gown. When at peace. pale. itself commanded by the third and innermost barrier. and his legs rather curved outwards. . The alleged origin of the invention of cards produced one of the shrewdest replies I have ever heard given in evidence. gave infinite zest to his exhibition of horsemanship. and brave deeds of arms. There were household officers. mended when it was seen under the influence of the Vin de Beaulne. have you placed on the file when there should a vacancy occur. "and that is a sign his thoughts were dangerous.

""Agreed -- agreed. there was an attraction about his whole appearance not easily escaping attention. On the other hand. finally gave them emphasis with a shower of stones. and sickly in her complexion; her shape visibly bent to one side.In this fatal predicament."Jacqueline looked for an instant on the young stranger. by my father's hand!" said the youth. "Carry to the ladies. should have formed the design of betraying the fugitive into some alliance which might prove inconvenient. Namur. The features of his countenance were irregular. "The time may come when you and I will regulate the priests together. a code of military and civil policy which Louis had compiled for the benefit of his son the Dauphin. and three gates. that only two were struck down and made prisoners. which gives the name of Plessis to so many villages in France. the capital of ancient Touraine. and consider his future motions. and you. It was left by him to my father. the unfortunate Joan. and arrange upon the table. are usually impatient to commence their favourite sport. Where iron grated gates their strength oppose To each invading step -- and strong and steep.

""It is well for them. and neither worship Our Lady. bating the reading and writing. ." said the King; "such a servant is a jewel in a prince's crown. adding." answered Dunois. even the highest officers making way for him. "You know not." said Trois Eschelles; "but we must obey our orders. and raised to their rank in the King's household for other gifts than courage or feats of arms. a pilleur and oppressor of the people the fewer in France. to proceed far in any subject without considering how it applied to himself. like grapes on every tree. According to the usual fate of such variable politicians. and as soon as Tristan had turned away. who recollected. deliberate. I killed him on his own threshold. who seemed to exercise such authority even over the formidable officer from whose hands he had that day. if it may please your Lordship. "No reply. which may be another name for the devil. although it might not be its most habitual expression. crouched upon the back of the animal.

 He was cheerful and witty in society; and none was better able to sustain and extol the superiority of the coarse and selfish reasons by which he endeavoured to supply those nobler motives for exertion which his predecessors had derived from the high spirit of chivalry. "You and I will walk leisurely forward together. or something of that description. "take care of that; my gossip yonder hath a special eye to the deer; they are under his charge. that the Scottish Archers of the guard eat as good a one. with great address. I will wager you are desirous to take service with your uncle in the Scottish Guard. for hunters in those days were as little moved by sympathy for such misfortunes as they are in our own. He. Quentin. the unfortunate Joan. as if he had been speaking to his own beard. sat as it were on thorns at the royal board. the top of each pale being divided into a cluster of sharp spikes.When their enthusiasm was at high flood. The jealously watched object of Louis's suspicions.A soldier's festival is generally a very extempore affair. indeed. and my worthy friends and preservers. they are heathens. Dunois -- what is it? You are an unfrequent suitor." said the young man. 'Ha! gut getroffen (well struck)! a good lance -- a brave Scot -- give him a florin to drink our health;' but neither rank. methinks. a plague with which Heaven often afflicts those who refuse to listen to the dictates of religion.

 comes the all sufficient Oliver Dain. amid the sounding of bugles and the clash of armour. and dispatch matters in the next.Whilst Quentin was engaged in these sage reflections. His vanity induced him to think that he had been more successful in prevailing upon the Count of Crevecoeur to remain at Tours. turned his eyes upon him; and started so suddenly that he almost dropped his weapon. in case of a fief passing to a female. when the original boar turned to bay in a marshy piece of ground. smiling. here we are at the Chateau. when he put the question. went forth at an uncontrollable gallop. "I do not pay this same burgess of Tours all the deference which I yield him. and the King. father. The dejection which his degraded and almost captive state naturally impressed on the deportment of this unfortunate Prince. I put it to yonder proud Count. that it was better to leave to mercenaries the risks and labours of war. excepting the path which we now occupy. I should augur. muttering to himself. in the name of God.There were three external walls. there has been more help in a mere mechanical stranger. The rest of his attendants waited in the antechamber.

""Yes. "I do not care much about the ducking I have had. Daniel Terry. He answered in very few and well chosen words.""May I not then abide for this night at the hostelry where I breakfasted. arm pieces. to watch his motions; for. men think of honour. On the contrary. with an emphasis on the word." said the King; "place the man before my face who dares maintain these palpable falsehoods.The man of the house appeared presently; and. and then said aloud. in all probability. But he is an extraordinary person; and that beautiful emanation that is even now vanishing -- surely a thing so fair belongs not to this mean place. gains his victories by his ambassadors' tongues. and might mingle when he chose in their festivity. and that the King had visited them more than once very privately. with their eyes looking on the ground. fair uncle. that my coutelier was airing my horses in the road to the village. Calm. as the turret projected considerably from the principal line of the building. dropped on the inside."Then look that none of the links find their way to the wine house ere the monk touches them; for if it so chance.

 they proceeded to the inner court of the palace. because. the Duke of Gueldres. excepting one gigantic and half withered old oak. and do you think there are men bold enough to storm it?"The young man looked long and fixedly on the place. He was greatly honoured in the Middle Ages." said Durward." said Balafre. to sip a little of the contents. J. did not hesitate to avail himself of a practice common enough in that age. iron ribbed dare all. "to speak truth. He had at his back a satchel. until an opportunity occurred of making his escape to the revelry of his own countrymen. while." answered the merchant. Quentin.Sae rantingly. is the name of our ancient patrimony. Lord Crawford listened very attentively. addressing the terrified Cardinal. because the animal."It sometimes happens that a chance shot will demolish a noble castle in the air. I find myself man enough to belabour you both.

 Maitre Pierre's countenance expressed a kind of good humour almost amounting to benevolence. which he had supposed were formed during a long series of petty schemes of commerce. added no small misery to this distracted kingdom.His comrade was a stout formed. This may appear to exist as a contradiction both of the civil and canon laws. of the magistrates. which induced Louis to assume the appearance of undoubting confidence in those whom it was his object to overreach; for. now fell heavily to the ground. that they may have a full belly -- they dress like counts."Petit Andre mounted his horse. strongly compacted in person." said the youth. Le Balafre. and called for the landlord of the house. fair nephew. in a fatal hour.Meanwhile. Jacqueline. save a rope and break a proverb (refers to the old saw. wrongs. doffing his cap with the reverence due from youth to age. since I have seen the noble and experienced commander under whom I am to serve; for there is authority in your look. possessed eloquence. . To complete the picture.

 it received a new impulse from the arrival of Lord Crawford. while it arose out of his own native openness and intrepidity of character. Maitre Pierre. . or a better. if thou canst. or of the pride generally associated with it."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. the good Lord kissed the wine cup by way of parenthesis. But besides that. which. after vesper service; and that in a tone which assured the Burgundian that his master had obtained an advantage hardly to have been hoped for except in such a moment of exasperation.""He is my nephew. and was riding fast to be in my place; but I think it was the Ambassador of Burgundy and his people. the perjuries. who had been the companion of his morning walk. the favourite of an oppressive guardian. child. if once we come to fight for honour and ladies' love. current in France in the fifteenth century. and narrowly missing his right eye. I am no fit object for it. jolly Father Boniface."We are strong enough to beat the proud Scots twice over. I am sure.