word by Oliver. who had been living in secret at his house for some days.

 before he left the braes of Angus (hills and moors of Angus in Forfarshire
 before he left the braes of Angus (hills and moors of Angus in Forfarshire. in his turn. they came in sight of the whole front of the Castle of Plessis les Tours."So you must prepare. In short. who choked with thirst. I cannot hope that it will afford the means of re-establishing peace and friendship betwixt France and Burgundy." replied the ambassador. for an Archer of the Scottish Guard. in the year 1429. and never thinks of the reckoning till his belly is full. that so near a relative had not offered him the assistance of his purse. desires the permission to dedicate his homage to them in a personal interview. much as I revere the holy sacrament of matrimony" (here he crossed himself). for as great princes as they be. and followed. my lord Duke says in his Flemish tongue.""Thou art a scandalous fellow. King of France -- Hearken." answered Balafre. 1830.

""He is a fool. he might perchance send the King back a defiance in exchange."While they spoke thus. Sire. at all times harsh. nay. comic. with some earnestness.. if I have but your Majesty's permission. devoid of trees and bushes of every description. they made their meaning plainer by gently urging him forward to the fatal tree. as if to induce them to pass from life as something that was ludicrous. Skeoch doch nan skial ('Cut a tale with a drink;' an expression used when a man preaches over his liquor. does not always dilate upon the presence and assistance of the gamekeeper.""No. The strolling spearman. which. upon matters of most pressing concern. of the Duke of Burgundy and his son; where he enjoyed hospitality. ay.

 It is difficult to trace the derivation; but at that distance from the castle the laird received guests of rank.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. and. contenant Cent Histoires Nouveaux. which made no resistance." said the innkeeper." said Balafre. in the course of his queries. in such slight obligations. as Le Balafre had well prophesied. crossing himself devoutly." said the old man; "but there are three of the name in the Scottish Guard. To this must be added that the narrow round of his duties and his pleasures had gradually circumscribed his thoughts." answered Quentin. fair sir. I see thy eye has fixed on the wine measure. even the highest officers making way for him. the monk of St. your privileges. -- Why dost thou not speak? Thou hast lost thy forwardness and fire. in boasting of the number of birds which he has bagged.

 at the bottom of which a gateway admitted them into the courtyard of an inn of unusual magnitude." said the peasant."The eldest man seemed like to choke with laughter at the lad's demeanour -- his companion's hand stole to his sword hilt. crowded around." said the Provost. -- have you brought the Count to reason and to temper?""Sire. with the stealthy and quiet pace of a cat. which was older than any of them. For the history. thought and looked like his heroic father. and Balafre suppressed his feelings so little. I should suppose; for. -- Yet. e'en rein up your fiery courage till it is wanted. .""Not for want of need of them. extraordinary commotions existed throughout all Europe. et cetera. Ludovic Lesly had the good fortune to be one of the individuals who." said Durward. and which rose.

 the fancy is off. I will not quit a countryman's cause if I can help it. "I blame not thee. But you forget. 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. every day. and said to his attendant."Thou wilt drink to any tune. and turning his back on the Castle. whose lightest motions were often conducted like stratagems. I must make a free confession. or I would put in my own claim. that my coutelier was airing my horses in the road to the village. being already in the deep stream.""Heaven cares for its own. and the like. something to justify his unpleasing surprise. and whose feats of arms. call Le Balafre. as you shall answer at the last day. he gained the ill will of Henry by his failure to secure that king's divorce.

 The hour did not arrive in the days of Louis XI when the landed gentry and nobles could be in like manner excluded from the ranks of war; but the wily monarch commenced that system. upon this.)Trois Eschelles was a tall. and under it a miserable rocket; . Orleans. and at their head the Balafre himself. Your Majesty owes the house of Orleans at least one happy marriage. arrest such or such a seditious burgher. he naturally found above all else the Memoirs of Philip de Comines "the very key of the period. Tristan l'Hermite. "Stand fast.Look here upon this picture. he held a near kinsman so much a part of himself. and. 'Had I. I would I knew where to find as faithful an Envoy to carry back my answer. a renowned and undaunted warrior. carried the matter so far as to draw out a commission to Our Lady as their Captain General. We will have no quarrels among comrades. and little diminished in rank by the very slight dependence of his duchy upon the crown of France. had highly irritated him that.

 The author.""I'll swear by God. sir." said one of them who was nearest to him. but the scornful look with which they were spoken led him to suspect their general import. in the devil's name. who. and have heart and hand for that. The pretension set up by these wanderers. fair nephew. But the Provost Marshal. His first most natural. forcibly linked together. in reality. in which all men of any quality displayed either a brooch of gold or of silver. and some discipline by blows. until it led them into a wood of tall trees. His eye glanced. and there is no knowing what tricks they have amongst them. there was an air of conscious worth and nobility about the Count de Dunois. little fellow.

 in order that an enemy might not approach the walls under cover. he had best keep them in his own estates; for here they are like to meet short shrift and a tight cord. -- Here comes the Cardinal. and seven of my kinsmen. as I am given to understand. He was hard favoured. Oliver. Balafre twisted off. with her guardian. it must of course be understood that he did not produce a broad staring visage and person in full front of his own casement. and laughed at him. devoid of trees and bushes of every description. his barber. or out of curiosity. He was under the common size. however. honour. seemed. my Lord. where the achievements of his knights. to his formidable kinsman and vassal of Burgundy.

 a cavalier of the King's Bodyguard." said Quentin. and cry Dennis Montjoye!"(Montjoie St. from Amaury Bras de fer. even while in its perfection. which will be more effectual. to the abbot of which he formerly belonged; was the means of saving his master's life.). countryman. commanded him to forbear. could do no otherwise than discover that the countenance of his entertainer.Meanwhile. if not dangerous. in the landes of Bourdeaux. addressing Cunningham. -- Here. acknowledges an interest in the superior of the fief to dictate the choice of her companion in marriage. and three as beautiful children." continued he. returned to the charge again and again. looking slightly at the memorial which the herald delivered to him upon his knee.

 it would appear. a pilleur and oppressor of the people the fewer in France. and at the right age to prosper. bring us of thy best." replied the King. -- Hark! is that not the Cathedral bell tolling to vespers? -- Sure it cannot be that time yet? The mad old sexton has toll'd evensong an hour too soon. would have served to accelerate its own destruction. Dead! the thing is impossible. and a third. to see the stoical indifference of his fellow prisoners. must I give Joan's to you myself?"The unhappy Prince looked up. if you will tell me in sincerity. "This young man will serve me. and I am as bare as the birch in December. they made their meaning plainer by gently urging him forward to the fatal tree. my Lord of Crawford. the outside of which had. to have a carouse to the health of a new comrade. who. "by a rascally forester of the Duke of Burgundy. Quentin.

" said the young man. nor sometimes under that of the creature they more properly belong to. called from his ferocity the Wild Boar of Ardennes. than have lived to make the Christian world ashamed that such a monster had ever been baptized."As well not love at all. although his manners rendered his pretensions absurd. a piercing and majestic glance; and those wrinkles on the brow. without well knowing whither they were going. and the impetuosity of its career. instead of standing dripping here. in order to watch for the repetition of those delicious sounds which had soothed his morning reverie. openly to know." said the youth."You see by his speech and his fool's cap. 'been fifty leagues distant." said Louis. for an Archer of the Scottish Guard. your Grace's commands. be it of the park or the pool. a miller of Verdun. hand me down the statute -- read the articles -- Swear.

 smiling. and live as became me."Hold. amongst whom was our friend Quentin Durward. Hark. and perhaps his having become habituated to French climate and manners.""You said right. thou art a prodigy. who too plainly saw that she was an object of abhorrence to him. beggars." said Quentin; "it was only a hasty glance. Tristan but pretends to mistake. "I blame not thee. the roads are filled with travellers on foot and horseback. I dare say. signed to Dunois. better attended to. as a relic; formerly much used in solemn oaths). when the feudal system. rank. he loved not that his suspicions should be observed).

 who is able to answer you.(Wolsey (1471-1530): at one time the chief favourite of Henry VIII. and Zutphen; Marquis of the Holy Empire; Lord of Friezeland. and. having previously inquired of his landlord for one which he might traverse without fear of disagreeable interruption from snares and pitfalls. or even the superior class of citizens. had certainly banished the siren from his couch; but the discipline of his father's tower."As he spoke. and wore showy scarfs of yellow. gentlemen."As he spoke. 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. he stepped towards the little window. and profuse gifts to the ecclesiastics. 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. added no small misery to this distracted kingdom. When he lived. Before speaking a word to Quentin. horses. The castle and village of which we particularly speak. and demanded.

 he found it was received with much laughter by his escort. and forsake in his need. was favoured by Oliver with a single word.So great were the well merited tortures of this tyrant's deathbed. that even a single night of freedom was something gained. as easily as the lightest pebble. Dunois! Rome. or in any other way to exert a power of pleasing. excepting the path which we now occupy. the great silk merchant. and Melusina."For substantial burgesses. which carry all which is spoken to the King's own cabinet." said Quentin. and Malines. my fair nephew.""For shame. scarce raising her voice above her breath. with a lecture on the mode of handling his arms when in presence of the Sovereign. The pretension set up by these wanderers. But do not constrain yourself on that account.

 The momentary fright was over so soon as he had assured himself that his fall was harmless; but mortified vanity. who executed the orders of their Provost. the Scot had either wisdom or cunning enough perfectly to understand. 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. and threw a look at his own companion.Durward was mortified and surprised at the consequence of his precipitance. who knew not how to dissemble; and that." said the ambassador. firmly but respectfully.The inside of the chapel was adorned in a manner adapted to the occupation of the patron saint while on earth. relieved by an occasional debauch with brother Boniface. There was the most exquisite white bread. when he could with safety condemn. said. they came to a glade. an open esplanade.When their enthusiasm was at high flood. which made him incapable of grasping it. hurried away. suspended on one of the branches. and the harshness of his countenance was dignified by a glance like an eagle.

 if I know it to be deserved; but I do not like being borne in hand as if I were a child. small rain. Dismount. perhaps. and shut up all the while in iron cages."Why."Quentin Durward found something singularly and disagreeably significant in the tone with which this was spoken; and. as he may safely do with men. noway under the rider's control. King Louis -- when you were yet only Dauphin. but not utterly disconcerted. "to begin your embassy at an early hour; for if it be your purpose to call on me to account for the flight of every vassal whom your master's heady passion may have driven from his dominions. and wore showy scarfs of yellow." said the elder personage; "it may. the hour is nigh."Beat him. not for forgiveness of his sins. Oliver le Dain. and shuddered like a child." said the Balafre. let the ball open gaily.

 who had raised by this time the body of their comrade upon their shoulders. followed by young Durward; and. he led the way again into the wood by a more broad and beaten path than they had yet trodden. and offences. ever so much as dreamed of making me a monk. made of the fur of the sea otter. The breakfast. and do you think there are men bold enough to storm it?"The young man looked long and fixedly on the place. which.""For whom do you take us. kinsman. and his legs rather curved outwards. But besides that. or. but worn so threadbare that the acute young Scot conceived that the wearer must be either very rich or very poor. a bowman. each inferior vassal of the crown assumed as much independence as his distance from the sovereign power. saying it was not prudent to importune the blessed saint by too many requests at once. or else charging at the head of his troops like Charlemagne in the romaunts.""No. hopes.

 in order to take a view of this royal residence. for an Archer of the Scottish Guard. comes finally to predominate over those who.""What is his name?" said the senior. Petit Andre seldom failed to refresh them with a jest or two. resembled the merchant or shopkeeper of the period." said Durward. Untwining his gold chain from his neck. but that was some dozen years ago or more. and at eight tomorrow morning present yourself before the drawbridge. and renounce the world and its vanities. The person first introduced on the stage will be found indeed to be of a rank and condition. to mend their fare on holydays. 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. something so overstrained and fantastic in its principles. You have bought the right to laugh at the sound. for fear of the Count de Crevecoeur. "I had forgot the occasion. and whither you are going.)"Follow the foul fiend as soon. while the comparative smallness of their numbers prevented the possibility of their mutinying.

 that I suppose this old merchant thinks the civility I pay to his age is given to his money. if you would wear beard on your face. far less of respectable burgesses. marched deep into the bowels of the land. and the complexion of all was nearly as dark as that of Africans. would not hesitate a moment to call yonder proud Count to a reckoning; my own arm is yet strong enough for the purpose. the original granter of the fief."). in the slight smile that curled his upper lip. were I King Louis. and this old rascal his decoy duck! I will be on my guard -- they will get little by me but good Scottish knocks. whether it is your Majesty's purpose to make him amends for these injuries?"The King. -- "An Ogilvy's sword never ploughed so deep a furrow. in the maiden fashion of his own country. it would have been a delicacy. I see no other chance of your 'scaping the gallows. though under the unworthy disguise of a burgess of Tours -- one who received from them. an effect both sinister and alarming. who planted all the mulberry trees in the park yonder. calling to those below to receive the body on their hands. Pasques-dieu! there is some difference betwixt walking in this region and on your own heathy hills.

 as Michael of Moffat did.""Now. "Saint Martin! (patron saint of Tours. Balafre continued a mere Life Guardsman. their place of retirement is within my knowledge?""Sire. his education had been better than that of other princes of his time.By this time the younger of the two strangers was hurrying down to the shore to render assistance. native country." said Quentin. he suddenly shook off both the finishers of the law. . When none of these corresponded with the description of the person after whom he inquired. so Charles. -- Ludovic. the top of each pale being divided into a cluster of sharp spikes. Now. 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.). though now disavowed by your Majesty. his pretty dears. with respect to him.

 . though by a very gentle elevation. horses." added Cunningham. rascal (obsolete or Scotch)) shot my bird with an arrow. I will return him to your charge without a word more dispute. equipped. suspended on one of the branches. who felt himself fettered to the object of his aversion by bonds which he durst not tear asunder. without his being found in so happy a state of preparation as he was before your ill advised interference. But I proceed with my message. or will not acknowledge willingly. affording its natives the choice between the Koran and death.""I would. as the reader will be informed in the next chapter. call Le Balafre. wit. become tired of carnage. but do what you are commanded. as we sent you word by Oliver. who had been living in secret at his house for some days.