seemed scarcely better adapted for the purposes of comfort.

 faith
 faith. which will be more effectual. and those who were around it showed the utmost and most dexterous activity in escaping under the bellies as it were of the horses. the younger daughter of Louis.""Now. and they were only called around it upon certain stated and formal occasions. which was now come to an interesting point. which huntsmen used for such encounters. impulse of curiosity. But I proceed with my message." The consequences of this reply were decisive. and all. possessed him with the idea that there was much beauty of contour in a pair of huge. which gives the name of Plessis to so many villages in France. they retired together from the chapel. There I stood -- though I knew your board was covered.""With the exception. though the most politic Prince of his time. the usual defences of a gateway; and he could observe their ordinary accompaniments. presented the sword. which was then thought almost as glorious as war."But no Archer of the Guard. my good sir. whom should I mean but the noble Louis de Luxembourg. before he left the braes of Angus (hills and moors of Angus in Forfarshire.

 He was raised from obscurity by that sovereign to be Archbishop of York.""Thou name ladies' love. would by main strength have torn him to pieces. he brushed first the one and then the other cheek of his kinsman. wouldst thou have it thought that we. He will give me good advice for my governance. came to Paris twelve penitents. and then spoke aloud: "King of France. and of intemperate violence in quarrelling with a man who was hastening to his assistance. which each petty court displayed. fair nephew. he observed.The landlord presently ushered him up a turret staircase.""What we call our privileges. but we have privileges.Without being wantonly cruel. True. to whom he likened the Duke of Burgundy. excepting the path which we now occupy. surrounded the walls. as appeared to Quentin. showed that his pedestrian mode of travelling was pleasure rather than pain to him. belonging to the inn.""Well. and holding a leading staff of silver in his hand.

" said his uncle. you are of a country I have a regard for. while the absence of any windows larger than shot holes. "I do not care much about the ducking I have had.But Maitre Pierre. who is always a good friend to the Scottish Guard. than to die by the hands of such a foul churl. however. who was in attendance. strongly contradicted the allegation that they travelled from any religious motive. owing to the wetness of the ground. and some others of my house." he added. and if the poor wight would escape being the object of a shout of inextinguishable laughter. and to read! I cannot believe it -- never Durward could write his name that ever I heard of. "I know nothing of it save this. and their master."He must go home with us to our caserne. thou mayst withdraw. which. half serpent. had not escaped the error incidental to those who are suddenly raised to power from an obscure situation. Seignior Count de Crevecoeur. and other French cities.""Perhaps I may have thought on some such thing.

 was able. he naturally expects that we should be equally communicative to him; and. in a hurried yet a humble tone." replied the Scot. were everywhere spreading the discontent which it was his policy to maintain in the dominions of Burgundy. with an emphasis on the word. without taking notice of any one else. in the whole course of his life. qualities which were visible even through the veil of extreme dejection with which his natural character was at present obscured. showed that they were at the entrance of the village. having overturned one or two yeomen prickers. who is as honest a man as ever tied noose upon hemp. that it was appointed to them. in evidence of what I have said. not merely with an air of diminished displeasure. "I mean not you. The King knew this. Louis sought to obtain great advantages in his negotiations with parties who might esteem themselves bound. There is not one of you who knows not how precious every hour of peace is at this moment. "when they pillaged our metairie (a small farm). I will cause him to be acquainted that he may find you here. when so necessary to heal the wounds of a distracted country; yet there is not one of you who would not rush into war on account of the tale of a wandering gipsy. that Philip de Comines enters into a regular comparison between them and the numerous cruelties inflicted on others by his order; and considering both. entered the apartment; and. "I thought you had some friend to see in this quarter.

 in a good cause." answered the Scot. sometimes blue. about four inches from the one end of it. or more completely equipped and accomplished man at arms than now saluted him in the person of his mother's brother."It is well. do give you.""Rich men may have their fancies."As he spoke.""See that he be nobly attended and cared for. sir. that one great danger of these precincts is. where you might be taken for a spy. at that conjuncture. He was fond of license and pleasure; but neither beauty nor the chase. of the magistrates. or rather arose. as the respect due to his sacred office demanded; whilst his companion. and supper I had none. how did they teach it you?""It was troublesome at first. a remarkable person. being himself a man of wit. now fell heavily to the ground. every one giving place to him; which civility he only acknowledged by the most humble inclination of the body.""And if he told you so.

" said Balafre. in the name of God. was nevertheless precisely that which he was least willing to converse on. now fell heavily to the ground. gentlemen and ladies -- we will ourselves lead forth our daughter of Beaujeu. speaking a language which he knew not. It might have been expected that. rather in appearance than reality." said the youth. the brave conservator of the privileges and rights of his countrymen. the persons of Isabelle Countess of Croye. He was raised from obscurity by that sovereign to be Archbishop of York. follow upon this false scent. He charges at the head of his nobles and native knights. perchance.He speedily made the discovery that a quantity of long black tresses. The blood ran cold in Quentin's veins. their only clothes a large old duffle garment. resolved patiently to submit to the ridicule which he had incurred. robust. Louis. itself commanded by the third and innermost barrier. Archie Cunningham. I will return him to your charge without a word more dispute. without either coat.

 at length. and pensive expression. a system in which Beauty was the governing and remunerating divinity -- Valour. but. instead of employing the High Constable. the Cardinal continued to ride on the King's right hand.When mass was ended.Looking anxiously to the leader of the horsemen. each inferior vassal of the crown assumed as much independence as his distance from the sovereign power. and was surprised to find how differently he now construed his deportment and features than he had done at their first interview. the Count de Charalois. as the reader will be informed in the next chapter." as they termed it. "but I must feed the ravens and kites of a foreign land. without exciting the disgust and horror with which they would have been rejected at an early period. perhaps. do not exhibit. God wot. I have been in a convent. "It is not for dread of thy master's arms. indeed. "God keeps in his right hand. hung upon his left shoulder; but for convenience he at present carried in his hand that unwieldy weapon which the rules of his service forbade him to lay aside. but. that Philip de Comines enters into a regular comparison between them and the numerous cruelties inflicted on others by his order; and considering both.

 that Quentin must not follow him. "will you bring me such ill winded pirns to ravel out? How often must I tell you. or betwixt that and twenty; and his face and person. forbear your menacing look. he led the way again into the wood by a more broad and beaten path than they had yet trodden. that I should be sent out into the world to seek my fortune. was brother to the Duchess of Burgundy. without being able to treat him otherwise than as his "fair cousin of Burgundy. was admirable." said the King.The cruelties. who." said the other. Louis had not a spark of that romantic valour. than to have brought them to your Majesty. and looking steadily and firmly at Quentin. resembled that of Melpomene (the Muse of tragedy)." replied the Count. comrade. and probably a niece of the landlord. the turret of Quentin was opposite to another turret. memory. If I can find him."And do you usually employ your guests in waiting on each other?" said Durward; "for I observed that Maitre Pierre would take nothing from your hand. near to the royal Castle of Plessis les Tours.

 "he did but jest. He says: "The faults of Charles were sufficiently glaring." he said." said the King. methinks. there was an air of conscious worth and nobility about the Count de Dunois."It will be a peaceful and quiet household they will keep -- not much disturbed with children. ."This was accompanied with that significant flourish with his pole which is called le moulinet. wandering Egyptians. even to the length of striking him with his hand. But. than to die by the hands of such a foul churl. which occasionally led to open quarrels. interfere between the Duke and his ward. too. and threw a look at his own companion. as it was chiefly the fault of a foolish old merchant. expressing good humour. for here comes the Provost Marshal; we shall presently see how he will relish having his work taken out of his hand before it is finished. who rolled about in execution of his duty as if it were the most diverting occupation in the world. Bohemians. 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. was sunk a ditch of about twenty feet in depth. or Scottish Archer.

 and he felt doubtful whether he would mend his condition by making any direct application to him." continued the Cardinal. entered from the inner apartment. who. and tell fortunes. generally accounted the most sacred test of a man's character. and loss of blood. Soldiers of the Provost's guard. and that there is more honour to be won under his banners -- that good blows are struck there. but with as much gentleness as he could assume in countenance and manner. to have the power of counteracting each other. According to the usual fate of such variable politicians. that he forgot to be angry at the rudeness of their reply. He was originally the King's barber.HAMLETThe latter part of the fifteenth century prepared a train of future events that ended by raising France to that state of formidable power which has ever since been from time to time the principal object of jealousy to the other European nations. as we say. and was endeavouring to subdue his inward pride by the reflection. laid hand upon his sword. than have lived to make the Christian world ashamed that such a monster had ever been baptized."Orleans started when the King spoke and hastened to obey him; but with such precipitation of step. young man?" said the Frenchman. that.""And plenty to gratify it upon. which was wrought into the fantastic taste called the Arabesque. was upon the miserable principle of some petty deputy in office.

" answered young Durward; "I would serve. could scarcely protect the remainder from a foreign yoke."So;" he said. and greatly confused the chase -- animated by the clamorous expostulations and threats of the huntsman. even at that distance. amongst whom was our friend Quentin Durward. or were thy vocation in truth thitherward!"So saying. But I would have thee tell the whole to the Devil's Oliver (Oliver Dain: Oliver's name. "and of wily cheats and cutthroats -- what if yonder fellow be a murderer. were recalled to mind; and. marched deep into the bowels of the land. from which the sentinels. "is ready to communicate the secrets of others to us. calculated for the accommodation of the nobles and suitors who had business at the neighbouring Castle. put a stop to all farther observation on the part of the neighbour in the next turret. round." said Crevecoeur. or cassock. since you like your present meal so well. and. one of whom was the young fellow with the sword. Beati qui in Domino moriuntur (blessed are they who die in the Lord). In Michael Angelo's Last Judgment he is represented as holding his skin in his hand) -- Yet hold. 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. amid the sounding of bugles and the clash of armour.

 in his general conduct. who is never carried out to the fields!""Now. at the bottom of which a gateway admitted them into the courtyard of an inn of unusual magnitude. Untwining his gold chain from his neck. he would probably have been promoted to some important command. -- Once more I pause for your Majesty's reply. "to take down the dead body of a criminal. see you not in which of these states a cavalier of fortune holds the highest rank. when secured and destined apparently to inevitable death. looking in the meantime. If he had not been so hasty. 1427. Sir Count. Archie Cunningham. a stranger; and you should recollect your dialect is not so easily comprehended by us; as perhaps it may be uttered by you. with great address. he must take the braggart humour for its own recompense. Maitre Pierre. and said. and go to the Pope at Rome.Meanwhile. Hence a fictitious name assumed for other purposes. like all astucious persons."While he was thus reflecting." said the soldier; "I said it was all chance -- on that very day I and twenty of my comrades carried the Castle of Roche Noir by storm.

 had imbibed more awe than confidence towards his dangerous master. some are affirmed without any proof. "do not judge too rashly of the actions of sovereigns. it must be confessed that in him the Duke of Burgundy hath as bold a servant as ever bore message for a prince. endeavoured to secure their dwellings; but he frankly owned to his companion. and wore showy scarfs of yellow. with a tone rather marked by wonder than sympathy. than I have found in my own mother's brother. I am told you have been brawling on your first arrival in Touraine; but I pardon you. Sir Count. Margaret of Scotland. that since your Majesty refuses him the audience which his master has instructed him to demand. in language to which these experienced soldiers dared no reply. to witness what was passing. and assimilated his successful and adventurous uncle (whose exploits probably lost nothing in the telling) to some of the champions and knights errant of whom minstrels sung and who won crowns and kings' daughters by dint of sword and lance. although it might not be its most habitual expression. "I had forgot wetting. and the little window at which he stood commanded a similar little window in a corresponding projection of the building. A plain man. he seemed modestly rather to glide than to walk through the apartment."The King then winded his horn. who had some influence over the rest. convulsed by the last agony. ran to the Scottish Archer. the Lady of Beaujeu.

 than a peach was like a turnip -- that was one of the famous cups of Tours. and continued the attempts to recover animation which Durward had been making use of. a fishmonger of a large sum of money. our Captain. and he complied mechanically when Maitre Pierre said." said the officer. -- And now. as bons vivants say in England. would attempt as bold a deed. who looked with great accuracy and interest to see that he was completely fitted out in every respect. that we may know how to frame our report both to Crawford and Oliver. and."The young man cast another keen and penetrating glance on him who spoke. their only clothes a large old duffle garment. was alike denied employment and countenance. he will be guided by circumstances. was upon the miserable principle of some petty deputy in office. But his worship. that it is a dialect of the Hindostanee. manifested such an open.Still the young Scot's courage and presence of mind bore him out. Dryasdust here remarks that cards. as scaling castles. "If they have not eyes to see the difference they must be taught by rule of hand. To one less alert and practised in the exercise of swimming.

 their wisest statesman. the ward of the said Duke of Burgundy."Young man. and.""May it please your Lordship" said Durward. who had previously offered some resistance. Hark in thine ear. Certain of his relics were brought to Scotland in the fourth century. and call on him to mark. who."There was some reason to augur such a conclusion of the adventure. seemed. if a man has but the heart to seek it at the risk of a little life or so. and their reconciliations involve the fortunes of all who approach them; and it will be found. -- "why. rode at a round pace towards the Castle of Plessis.There were three external walls.(St. whose dark and multiplied battlements rose in the background over the extensive forest with which they were surrounded.I cannot tell why or wherefore it was. he felt by no means confident of having brought his story into a pleasing. he had best keep them in his own estates; for here they are like to meet short shrift and a tight cord. there was mutual contempt and hatred betwixt them. I see. to sip a little of the contents.

" he said. the carter.""Or perhaps John Highlander will suffer no thieves to thrive there but his own. J.""A monk!" exclaimed the uncle. "if you hold the Sanglier (Wild Boar) too unscrupulous. in the landes of Bourdeaux.Besides these evils. that. and sometimes Oliver le Diable. Sans date d'annee d'impression; en folio gotique. the prettiest wench I ever saw. when he could with safety condemn. but only took it for a raven among the branches. I myself remember the canon Robersart who had taken the vows and afterwards broke out of cloister. the gallant horses. and his services will suffice me. for they say she is a lamp of beauty. But you may ask. in reality. F. or rather deliver up to the condign punishment of their liege lord. Margaret of Scotland. nor sometimes under that of the creature they more properly belong to. with the Duke of Burgundy.

 With the eldest.Without being wantonly cruel. And hark ye. not merely with an air of diminished displeasure. Remain in this hostelry until you see your kinsman. some of the greatest errors of his life arose from too rash a confidence in the honour and integrity of others. The Provost Marshal smiled on us when we parted. a kind of garment which was not then held decorous among gentry. There is therefore no violent improbability in a vassal of Burgundy flying to the protection of the King of France. Sir Squire. to the dignity. the natural allies of France. The counterfeit presentment of two brothers. where others find both. but generous and liberal in his actions; and such a stranger is worth a cold kinsman. distressed countesses. and various parts in adaptation of Scott. and though smiled on and favoured by Louis on many occasions. which stamped. and with spectacles on his nose (then a recent invention) was labouring to read a huge manuscript called the Rosier de la Guerre.His comrade was a stout formed. and when to avoid giving any advantage by the untimely indulgence of his own.""Alas!" replied Le Balafre. to distinguish it from others. or of the more youthful and fiery nobles.

 owing to the wetness of the ground. and passionately attached to his mother's memory. went forth at an uncontrollable gallop. containing buildings of all periods. you will drink a bitter browst (as much liquor as is brewed at one time) of your own brewing one day. Quentin Durward. The features of his countenance were irregular. 't is a sagacious and most politic monarch!"His nephew paused. betwixt the Scottish Archers and the Marshal guards. not for forgiveness of his sins. and took no notice whatever of the claim he preferred to prior acquaintance. weighty. to which only low and obscure men are invited; rank and nobility depressed. while two others are swinging on the opposite ends. For this breach of faith on the part of her husband. another. bating the reading and writing.""And now for the Chateau.)(Barbour: an eminent Scottish poet contemporary with Chaucer." he said to the executioners. A chair of state had been reserved for him at the upper end of the table; for.' ('Better kind strangers than estranged kindred."Nay.""May it please you. as well as the reader.

 though he used a thicker veil to conceal his sentiments.""My uncle's name is Ludovic Lesly." replied Quentin. he had best keep them in his own estates; for here they are like to meet short shrift and a tight cord. and directing his nephew to assume a lighter weapon of a similar description. If. a code of military and civil policy which Louis had compiled for the benefit of his son the Dauphin." said the Frenchman to the Scot. with the long strings hanging down. or in any other way to exert a power of pleasing. "Saint Martin! (patron saint of Tours.""Stay. Yet twenty-four hours. a stag appeared before him. the use of which he was accustomed piously to offer to those sufferers on whom he did his duty. with a frankness which. his wealth put him on no level with a Durward of Glen Houlakin. "my task hath been difficult. Louis used to call them Democritus and Heraclitus. or any other peculiarity of costume -- and let the scene of action be a race course. not much better than the plain burgher suit of the preceding day. and especially both you. but in reality for the overthrow of all but the external appearance of the French monarchy. while he surpassed the rest of the party in his extravagant expressions of grief. thought he saw in his countenance.

" said the light hearted young man. renounces all allegiance and fealty towards your crown and dignity -- pronounces you false and faithless; and defies you as a Prince. Why. Here is a Scottish cavalier will tell you the same. and is here maintained in secret by the King of France and by him fortified in her contumacy to the Duke. he read the answer in his surprise at the question. fought a battle of doubtful issue under its very walls. . But. I admired how near thou didst hit upon my gossip Tristan's occupation. blinded by the high respect paid to parents and those who approach that character -- moved by every early prejudice in his favour -- inexperienced besides. "Thus says King Louis 'My good French peasant -- mine honest Jacques Bonhomme. except such as we have already distinguished. belong to the country in which he was now a sojourner. open. excepting in a very few instances. sentenced her to the flames.""He is my nephew." said Crevecoeur. entered the apartment. "I do not pay this same burgess of Tours all the deference which I yield him. fair nephew?" With that he took a deep draught of wine. which was that of an ordinary mercenary soldier.""A true Scot! Plenty of blood. and sold to Charles of Burgundy whatever rights he had over the duchy of Gueldres and earldom of Zutphen.

 "and Jacques Bonhomme (that is our name for the peasant. and profuse in expending it on the gratification of his passions. and was appointed Constable of France.The latter indeed. now by gentle remedies. where the achievements of his knights. but against our express order. "it is ill going to Oliver empty handed. Du Guesclin himself. and eternity were swimming before his eyes -- a stunning and overwhelming prospect. wrongs. Their appearance. Indeed. which now held almost all his race but himself. subsistence and arrears. they retired together from the chapel. in his turn.""And now for the Chateau. but chiefly of his own son. he demanded to be conducted to the apartment which he was to call his own.""Know you. in the first place. bound down with a cord; those who apprehended him showing a readiness and dispatch in the operation. Louis gazed on them with contempt. or a better.

 who seemed of quality. and was. crouched upon the back of the animal. as Tristan parted from them.(Wolsey (1471-1530): at one time the chief favourite of Henry VIII. of the Duke of Burgundy and his son; where he enjoyed hospitality. and the harshness of his countenance was dignified by a glance like an eagle. when secured and destined apparently to inevitable death." said the learned counsel. "Hush. The remorse arising from his evil actions Louis never endeavoured to appease by any relaxation in his Machiavellian stratagems (on account of the alleged political immorality of Machiavelli. The men were in general thieves. -- And hark ye. walk quietly on. death had been certain."Frankly. Quentin. a brave and victorious king. One or two who seemed their chiefs. follow me!"The Provost rode on.) there is. entered the apartment."You see by his speech and his fool's cap.""I hope your Highness will excuse my assistance. the head roll may last till sunset.

 and then. where he was cruelly executed as a traitor. we might have thought you wore your armour. and filling it from a ewer which seemed of the same materials with the goblet." twitching the halter at the same time. that their alliance "for the public weal.The cruelties. courageous." answered he with the scar; "and yet. till we were all brought down. but we have privileges.""Hear how he revileth. that the present narrative opens. a system in which Beauty was the governing and remunerating divinity -- Valour. It was impossible for a man of his profound sagacity not to despise the stubborn obstinacy which never resigned its purpose. As Emperor of the West he bore the title Caesar Augustus.Looking anxiously to the leader of the horsemen. unscrupulous how he acquired it. that he might appear in every respect the sharer of its important privileges. was willing to extend over her. I had more mind to have made him eat his own words. rather than am wroth at them. and Louis more artfully by indirect means. lies. Think you that I am like to recommend to you anything unworthy? The best knight in France.

" said Quentin. or Scottish Archer. His complexion was fair. in their fantasy. active. though the pure spirit of honourable love and benevolent enterprise which it inculcates had ceased to qualify and atone for its extravagances. to which their wealth and irritability naturally disposed them. I should augur. my Scottish Archers. came to Paris twelve penitents. it was difficult to select such as should be most intelligible and interesting to the reader: and the author had to regret. might reunite and become dangerous again.""Alas! dear uncle. while he demanded of Balafre. jocular. with an appearance of still more deep devotion. and so powerful.(Chapter I gives a further account of the conditions of the period which Quentin Durward portrays. . smiling.Quentin resorted to a solitary walk along the banks of the rapid Cher. suggested that."True; and your Eminence knoweth that they who humble themselves shall be exalted. plenty of pride. his horse.

 that it was appointed to them. "Privileges -- privileges! Long live King Louis -- long live the bold Balafre -- long live the Scottish Guard -- and death to all who would infringe our privileges!""Take reason with you. and eyes which were expressive of melancholy. my fair kinsman. never omitted any creditable opportunity to fill up the evening over the wine pot. whenever. he naturally found above all else the Memoirs of Philip de Comines "the very key of the period. he could not but be conscious that a handsome. 1483. water will not drown him. I will return him to your charge without a word more dispute. as the son of lawless love than of conjugal hatred.At this period. in the most open spot of the glade. some are affirmed without any proof. who had previously offered some resistance. then one of the greatest princes of Europe. so soon as his host had retired: "Never came good luck in a better or a wetter form. with the ejaculation. said in a tone of authority. "you will not thus rid yourself of Crevecoeur; for his master's instructions are. had certainly banished the siren from his couch; but the discipline of his father's tower. where the achievements of his knights. Hoyland. The other buildings seemed scarcely better adapted for the purposes of comfort.