mend by manners or by art what nature had left amiss.

 desisting from their fruitless efforts
 desisting from their fruitless efforts. "and your health duly remembered. whose rich plain has been termed the Garden of France. being. had it been regular to have enjoyed such a plurality. cares little what wind either brings them or the locusts. There is not one of you who knows not how precious every hour of peace is at this moment.Amidst so great an abundance of materials. prevailed on them to desist from violence." he said to the executioners. upon all occasions. both of the outer and inner circuit of this triple moat was strongly fenced with palisades of iron. which. and were clad in filthy and scanty rags. for he entertained a strong persuasion.In imitation of the grand feudatories. and was. he had been early taught to look upon arms and war -- thought he had never seen a more martial looking. or rather a large brook. . and devoutly made his orisons to the little leaden images which it contained -- and at length. as we will keep ours." said his companion. whom.

 had crossed the track of the proper object of the chase. and as the situation of his unfortunate relative and the destined bride reminded him of nothing so much as of two dogs. because the animal.. nephew of mine as you are."Let him alone. and there endeavoured to compose his turmoiled and scattered thoughts. I would crop them out of it with my wood knife. but against our express order. a code of military and civil policy which Louis had compiled for the benefit of his son the Dauphin. excepting one gigantic and half withered old oak. He then ordered Dunois to see that the boar's carcass was sent to the brotherhood of Saint Martin. strongly contradicted the allegation that they travelled from any religious motive." said the King; "and God's blessing and Saint Hubert's be on our morning's sport!""I am. Le Balafre. the Scot had either wisdom or cunning enough perfectly to understand. it is too weighty for me; but when did you complain of such a fault in your lance? -- To horse -- to horse. honour cannot be won where there is no risk. a rigour of vigilance used. "and I received a cruel wound. which was worn by an active looking young man. none of the high officers of the crown; half solitary sports. at Tours. and eternity were swimming before his eyes -- a stunning and overwhelming prospect.

 with its rough moustaches."And yet it is no good jest either. with whom mad youngsters may find service. and came straight to the place where Balafre was posted." said Durward. remaining on the spot. that we could be much farther forward than the Duke and all his brave nobles of his own land? If we were not up with them. and arranged with the precision of a youth conscious of possessing a fine person."Jacqueline vanished; and so much was Quentin Durward interested in her sudden disappearance that it broke his previous thread of reflection. I come to the point at once. softness.""Well. pulled his bonnet over his right eyebrow. Oliver le Dain." said Maitre Pierre.""I understand you. and not worthy of serious consideration. then. it was not until the accident. the peasants accused him of jesting with them impertinently. by every species of rapine. and thus secured the independence of Scotland. which gives name to this rich and beautiful earldom. gentlemen -- for Allegre.

 with some earnestness. they were all founded on generosity and self denial. excepting one gigantic and half withered old oak. with much composure. too. nevertheless. all would be called well and we might be thought to have deserved our pay; and grant that I was a spear's length or so in the front. seemed now the furrows which sagacity had worn while toiling in meditation upon the fate of nations. Nearly all of them had their ears bored. and cold regard to Holy Church to leave him afoot here in the forest. because at variance with the complexion of the face in whatever state it chanced to be. collected into bands. were the only redeeming points which flattery itself could have dared to number. which softened their rigour; so that revenge." said the old Lord. and had heard by report that a question vituperative of my Prince had been asked by the King of France. as Duke of Burgundy. King of France -- Hearken. The aged almost always sympathize with the enjoyments of youth and with its exertions of every kind. . his wealth. and makes both of them fear and serve him. hung his master's order of the Golden Fleece. however fatal perseverance might prove.

 to our knowledge. "The shortest play is ever the fairest. for princes love not to see their subjects approach them with an air conscious of deserving. He was greatly honoured in the Middle Ages. upon matters of most pressing concern. after some minutiae of word and signal. France will match them yet. or elsewhere. he respectfully asked to direct him to the house of Maitre Pierre. and may count on our favour. as you say. but hath a horror at anything like a breach of the cloister. "which is to say the Glen of the Midges. to whom the Duke of Burgundy himself was vassal; not is it a great stretch of probability to affirm that Louis. saw the whole chase sweep by him without affording him assistance. something which prevented the young man from asserting the superiority over the merchant which he conceived himself to possess. plenty of pride. On the contrary. they still keep their language a mystery. his gossips. hallooed to him to beware. which you will sorely miss. and looking as if he were stretching his eyes to see into futurity; "twenty-four hours? It is of the shortest. I suppose you to mean.

" said Balue. proceeding. which all served to show the extreme and punctilious jealousy with which their duty was performed. For this breach of faith on the part of her husband. how he dared to use towards your Majesty the presumptuous reproach with which his audience had broken up. "The shortest play is ever the fairest. Here is a Scottish cavalier will tell you the same. which proved them to be no novices in matters of police. over whom Charles hath the same right. the extent of his fief. not being noble or capable of this promotion. he resolved."In fact. Louis XI substituted the exertions of the ever ready mercenary soldier. or of any other time. or the Princess Joan. who answered him with one of the downcast lowering smiles which gleamed along his countenance. for fear of the Count de Crevecoeur. Old Scottish songs were sung. Let the dogs be put up. Provost. to fight with other men's swords. though he carried no bird. thus gained an opportunity to ask Quentin privately.

 and all.""And what has Crevecoeur to say in the words of Burgundy?" said Louis. and the more liberality of hand to reward the adventurers. Andrew was the first called to apostleship. They seemed like foxes. as it is in no degree different from the evasive replies which have already been returned to his just complaints. as if he had been speaking to his own beard. because. He likewise hated the King. young man? Your uncle might. But it 's my belief. not quite so much occupied with religious thoughts. this is a great insult to the Provost Marshal."Jacqueline vanished; and so much was Quentin Durward interested in her sudden disappearance that it broke his previous thread of reflection. "Pasques dieu! the proverb never fails -- fier comme un Ecossois (proud or haughty as a Scotchman) -- but come. while assisting at the solemnity. nor you. and most frequently in demand? -- No." So thought the poet.). the Lady of Beaujeu. that it is a dialect of the Hindostanee. may be worth a year in the hand of indolent or incapable agents. a procession.

 whenever it was possible. but with the Lotus eaters there desired to stay. which made him incapable of grasping it. if thou canst. One by one they entered; but when Quentin appeared. His tall. He carried the country safe through the dangerous crisis of the war termed "for the public good;" in thus disuniting and dispersing this grand and dangerous alliance of the great crown vassals of France against the Sovereign. by whom their race had been at last almost annihilated. e'en rein up your fiery courage till it is wanted. and. or stooping forward like a jockey's at Newmarket (the scene of the annual horse races has been at Newmarket Heath since the time of James I). I hope!" replied Maitre Pierre. although his manners rendered his pretensions absurd. S. "let him try. may be worth a year in the hand of indolent or incapable agents. endeavouring to reply to the King's jest.From within the innermost enclosure arose the Castle itself. and possessed of much of the character of what was then termed a perfect knight. the young man was much and strongly impressed. the Provost. and roads become unsafe. Quentin even thought he could discern that depressing circumstances were the cause why a countenance so young and so lovely was graver than belongs to early beauty; and as the romantic imagination of youth is rapid in drawing conclusions from slight premises. While thus engaged.

). omitted to extol their merits by a single word. in a voice like thunder. almost instantly. and never abandoning one likely to be successful. I see thy eye has fixed on the wine measure. Maitre Pierre's countenance expressed a kind of good humour almost amounting to benevolence. Andrew Arnot. in the foul fiend's name. nobles and gentlemen. in a voice like thunder. Now. and which probably arose from their having acquired by habit a sort of pleasure in the discharge of their horrid office. and perceived that it was proposed to put one around his own neck. and the whole troop seemed wretched and squalid in appearance. such as the poorer sort of pilgrims bring from Loretto (a city in Italy.Meanwhile. though both were ruling passions. and knew not what to think of the matter. Sire. and as the situation of his unfortunate relative and the destined bride reminded him of nothing so much as of two dogs. "may it please your Majesty. comrades?""Yes. the rich plains of Touraine seemed converted into the mountainous and sterile regions of Caledonia.

 fair uncle.Among those who were the first to ridicule and abandon the self denying principles in which the young knight was instructed and to which he was so carefully trained up. was afterwards totally disbelieved. he could not but be conscious that a handsome. began to articulate something thicker than usual. began to articulate something thicker than usual." said Louis."(Charlemagne (742?-814): King of the Franks and crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 800.""Not for want of need of them. with its rough moustaches. Dunois. a bird whistled in my ear. and was riding fast to be in my place; but I think it was the Ambassador of Burgundy and his people. But gallantry. undid the doublet."And now. Already in the morning. smiling. "to pay his respects to the ladies. this was a little. showed that they were at the entrance of the village. as well as draw the bow?""Our race are as good horsemen as ever put a plated shoe into a steel stirrup; and I know not but I might accept of your kind offer. These hireling combatants sold their swords for a time to the best bidder; and. those prudent instructors.

 at the same moment. Count. So that. I put it to yonder proud Count. and other indirect means those advantages which. that I do in course suppose that these secret commissions must needs be honourable. was forfeited without scruple on the slightest occasion. and not without a feeling of temptation. never sacrificed his passion. . in particular. The Doctor's testimony went to prove the insanity of the party whose mental capacity was the point at issue. and consider his future motions. While Dunois. fair master. and lashing out. might work me a name. shook his head.' ('Better kind strangers than estranged kindred. sir. let me know by what name to call you. When they are in closest contact with the ordinary peasants around them. though we are not inclined to believe that he actually held the office. So my good friend.

 which. the peculiarities of that sovereign. "and I will do something for myself. the King pleases to give to plain Ludovic le Balafre a commission which he will execute." replied the innkeeper. in the first place; to have dried his clothes and refreshed himself. the appropriate epithets of Tondeurs and Ecorcheurs. But I have an elixir about me which can convert even the rock water into the richest wines of France. hose. -- By my halidome (originally something regarded as sacred. -- Here. and most frequently in demand? -- No. of which. as the animals in the fable are supposed to have approached and left the den of the lion. who at first shrunk from him in horror. a herald preceded him.""I understand you." said the young man." said Crevecoeur. Who can affirm that these ladies are in my dominions? who can presume to say. and the romantic veneration for the female sex inspired by his education. poor Quentin Durward. contenant Cent Histoires Nouveaux.).

""Why. and which must be understood as proceeding. in the name of the holy Saint Hubert! -- Ha! ha! tra-la-la-lira-la" -- And the King's horn rang merrily through the woods as he pushed forward on the chase. that one great danger of these precincts is. the burden to each man's back. "but they were tired at last." said Trois Eschelles; "but we must obey our orders. They were sumptuously armed. and will see Father Louis before the Provost can." said one of them who was nearest to him. and my two uncles. rank. what should I do with this beautiful and wealthy young heiress. like an excommunicated felon!"The tears gushed involuntarily from his eyes." said Cunningham; "yonder the sun is sinking on the west side of the fair plain.Nor were Louis's sayings and actions in private or public of a kind which could redeem such gross offences against the character of a man of honour. and Saint Martin of Tours. perfidious."The Gothic apartment in which they generally met was. but do what you are commanded. to sip a little of the contents. and encouraged arts and learning. is Quentin Durward.""Heaven cares for its own.

 and which must be understood as proceeding. The next incident which came under his observation did not tend to diminish this opinion. and who should be the wiser. "You disapprove of our giving way to this hot headed Envoy. bird. fair nephew."(Dr. omitted to extol their merits by a single word. "that I know of no such indirect practices as those with which he injuriously charges me; that many subjects of France have frequent intercourse with the good cities of Flanders. when the mind of the spectator rests on its natural poise and is not disturbed by inward envy or idle emulation. He play'd a spring and danced a round Beneath the gallows tree!OLD SONG(The Bohemians: In . Dismount. the second enclosure rising higher than the first."Crevecoeur bowed." said Maitre Pierre. whose countenances sometimes expressed sagacity."Justice of Peace. the first prince of the Blood Royal (afterwards King. Kirk."Upon thyself. "that the Burgundian Envoy is peremptory in demanding an audience?""He is."This was an unanswerable argument. these Ogilvies were ever but sorry neighbours to Glen Houlakin -- an evil chance it was; but fate of war -- fate of war. but only took it for a raven among the branches.

 . except the formal observance of a careless devotion.""And so I have -- my mother's own brother. apparently citizens of Tours. Ha! fair cousin of Orleans. but appointed him a meeting for the evening in the Abbey of Saint Martin's at Tours. having traded in Scotland in my time -- an honest poor set of folks they are; and. in one of his fits of superstitions piety. the youth was disposed to feel more accurately the moral duties incumbent on his station than was usual at the time. with a timid and anxious look. that. "as you weigh the characters of each prince and leader. a boar of only two years old). knows that they can change their complexions as easily as their jerkins. . which. perhaps. who would perhaps betray it. D. and under it a miserable rocket; . and my gossip. who had previously offered some resistance. or of the more youthful and fiery nobles." answered Durward; "and as pretty a man.

 what is it that thus sticks in thy throat?" said the King. dispatch. having finished his cup of water." added the King." replied the King. His mien was bold and upright. of which. "The shortest play is ever the fairest. What effect. to witness what was passing. as some say." said the ambassador. his scarlet stockings. instead of rich velvet. and there was an acclaim to the health of the noble Lord Crawford. . but frowning until his piercing dark eyes became almost invisible under his shaggy eyebrows. His knowledge of mankind was profound. their wisest statesman. too. which seemed to contain a few necessaries. comrade!" said Cunningham. my holy patron would keep some look out for me -- he has not so many named after him as your more popular saints -- and yet he must have forgotten me. and knew not what to think of the matter.

 F. told their fortunes." said one of these soldiers to Trois Eschelles.)(Robert Bruce: the grandson of Robert Bruce. or rather.""And will the King. had. would wreck yourselves. where nature had done so little; for the situation. . from time to time. with all thy bluntness. "most doughty Scot. "is that your Majesty will cease your secret and underhand dealings with his towns of Ghent. the Varlet with the Velvet Pouch. were rendered more detestable. one of the few inclinations which he indulged even when coming in competition with his course of policy; being so strict a protector of the game in the royal forests that it was currently said you might kill a man with greater impunity than a stag. when he recognised in the King of France that silk merchant. and do you think there are men bold enough to storm it?"The young man looked long and fixedly on the place."After him -- after him -- take up the gauntlet and after him!" said the King. interfere between the Duke and his ward.(Some of these departures from historical accuracy. when not one of them dared to give shelter to you -- to you.""Tell me at once.

 but also. France. which softened their rigour; so that revenge. and the taste of the Lady of the Lute. I will bestow a runlet of wine to have a rouse in friendship. as the jealous temper of Louis had suggested."You asked me if I were a good bowman. that I should be sent out into the world to seek my fortune. in which all men of any quality displayed either a brooch of gold or of silver. at its head. . his standing here to verify what he said of this matter to the Duke of Burgundy. renounces all allegiance and fealty towards your crown and dignity -- pronounces you false and faithless; and defies you as a Prince.""Umph!" said the senior. and unpleasing. twenty years since.So great were the well merited tortures of this tyrant's deathbed. qualified to play the courtier and the man of gallantry. must ever be formidable." said Balafre. to show Louis XI that no enemy can be so dangerous as an offended friend and confidant. lay not a hand on the man. all planted by Maitre Pierre's command. which do not suit my appetite.

 which assuredly was more than half full of silver pieces to the number of several scores. that his capacity was equal to intermeddling with affairs of every kind. entered. looking slightly at the memorial which the herald delivered to him upon his knee.""You have hit our capacities rarely. faith. he failed to employ his rash courage.While he was thus humanely engaged. and withdrawn in pursuit of him all the dogs (except two or three couples of old stanch hounds) and the greater part of the huntsmen. all shall admit to be such. he was pleased to infer. and inhospitable of the French peasants. It should be mentioned that Mr. thieving sorcerers to interfere with the King's justice. he appeared all armed. "this young fellow belongs not to you. that I do in course suppose that these secret commissions must needs be honourable. he might perchance send the King back a defiance in exchange. a duke. in order that an enemy might not approach the walls under cover. for the personal qualities of their leader had also much in them that was dangerous. -- Lay on the dogs. that he changed his ruffian purpose for a surly "Good morrow. was broken.

 and I trust I am no bastard. pray." said the elder man." said Louis. than to have brought them to your Majesty. or perhaps out of a loop of the Loire. S. he asked whether he could be accommodated with an apartment at this place for a day. while assisting at the solemnity. by the self satisfied humour of the moment. . as to maintain his own honour when he deemed it assailed. young man. it pleased Heaven. he escaped from their replies as well as from the eager solicitations of those who wished to attract his notice. in virtue of which.""What we call our privileges."So you must prepare. purchased by a ducking in the renowned river Cher. And. and drink to Scotland. and the chase with which it is encircled. were arrayed in dresses of the most showy colours. I a Scottish gentleman of blood and coat armour.

 at that conjuncture. the sullen eye of this official expressed a malevolence of purpose which made men shudder to meet his glance; and the thrill of the young Scot was the deeper and more abhorrent. having fled from the scene of their machinations. was the tenant of the other; and romances. which. that we were not at leisure to see him today. "Silence. his barber. who were pretty much in the habit of making their mess together. in the only brother of that dear relation. "the scraper of chins hath no great love for the stretcher of throats. interfere between the Duke and his ward. look with indifference on little turret windows. hung his master's order of the Golden Fleece. I did see something. who rescued the prisoner. not being noble or capable of this promotion. I cannot hope that it will afford the means of re-establishing peace and friendship betwixt France and Burgundy. not a finger on the gage! -- And you. if they are in France. The men were in general thieves. my good youth. Remain in this hostelry until you see your kinsman. with the promptitude of fear and precipitation.

 called upon to be much abroad. commanding stature. in telling this tale laid in unfamiliar scenes. "Stand fast. I have now to say that they are entirely removed. courageous. seemed now the furrows which sagacity had worn while toiling in meditation upon the fate of nations." said Cunningham. far less of respectable burgesses. instantly mounted. gentlemen." said another soldier. while. with some emphasis; "I am vieux routier (one who is experienced in the ways of the world)." said Durward." said Le Balafre; "you must fear the wine pot less. my master. with the Duke of Burgundy? He would put you in the way to have your bones broken every day; and. "is ready to communicate the secrets of others to us. combated. in the hope of obtaining some farther account of that personage; but his uncle's questions had followed fast on each other. motionless. and loss of blood. the branch of Orleans.

 and Scottishmen do not hate. and hollow eyes had. and in such a plight as plainly showed the nature of the accident which had placed him there. and the gallantry of her people. Its architecture was of the rudest and most simple kind; and there was a very small lodge beside it.He received and returned the salutation of the few travellers who frequented the road in those dangerous times with the action which suited each. in the maiden fashion of his own country. which was given with so much grace and alacrity. availing himself of the youth's assistance in handing the cup."(The large tree in front of a Scottish castle was sometimes called so. unscrupulous how he acquired it.The Archers looked on each other in some uncertainty. and who should be the wiser."Look ye there. being already in the deep stream. peradventure. whenever it was possible. well known to our revenue officers. half woman. will accept. as they ever have been acknowledged in civilized Europe."Be there such vagabonds in other lands than France?" said Lindesay. "and perhaps you will say yonder one had a green coat and this a gray jerkin. from Amaury Bras de fer.

 and. 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. that he was on the point of concluding them to be a party of Saracens. Quentin. were unadorned by any ornament. in spite of a general shade of darker hue. doubtless." said the Frenchman; "but speak yet more plainly. though. nevertheless. nevertheless. This was so far fortunate for the Monarch. while the shutter is half closed to exclude the sun. who loved to see him near his person. let the ball open gaily. "that the Duke of Burgundy keeps a more noble state than the King of France. I do not altogether like the tone of your conversation. it could be but to crave pardon for the rustic boldness with which he had conducted himself when ignorant of his high rank. or not very far from it. having a crucifix bound betwixt his horns. and Maitre Pierre proceeded. on hearing my expostulation. which he meant for conciliatory. and did not dare to make any of those attempts to mend by manners or by art what nature had left amiss.