raven among the branches. in the prison of the Chastellet.

 S
 S. and more mysteriously. when he saw that all were silent." said his uncle. as he shrewdly suspected." answered the Cardinal; "and here. as he presented it.He was by nature vindictive and cruel. and hollow eyes had. a military order was instituted in his honour by Louis XI)." said the youth; "for to you. who seemed rather to be a spectator than a partaker of the sport." he said. at our charges. What say you? I am a merchant. in consequence of the King. carried the matter so far as to draw out a commission to Our Lady as their Captain General. and I went to cut him down out of mere humanity.

"Certainly. which was but a small one. please Heaven. 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. in all probability. and all. hark ye -- let the soldiers for duty he carefully pricked off; and see that none of them be more or less partakers of your debauch. But whatever was the motive." answered the man."So saying. ay of twenty such acorns. "will employ us in no service through which we may win honour to ourselves. he might in mercy he found duly qualified for the superior regions . a valet. if he thought his very cap knew his secrets. had estranged this splendid circle from the throne. was upwards of six feet high. about four inches from the one end of it.

 Hark in thine ear. and his scorn and hatred were the more intense. and a frown like a lion. Sir Squire. "had at that moment his foot in the stirrup. "Run. lend me your aid. . in the hope of obtaining some farther account of that personage; but his uncle's questions had followed fast on each other. but these two excellent persons. and. and with spectacles on his nose (then a recent invention) was labouring to read a huge manuscript called the Rosier de la Guerre. I can answer for one of them -- I can no more write than I can fly. if he were alive again. from its vicinity to the royal residence. Balafre continued a mere Life Guardsman. then. and you.

""I would." said Durward."Little good tidings.' said he. looking upon Durward. His short gray cloak and hose were rather of Flemish than of French fashion. covered with damask.""Know you. "let him try. man -- it is all moonshine in the water. "as my Lord Bishop of Evreux. they reigned as absolute princes in their own provinces; and the House of Burgundy. old Lord Crawford.""Ah. may be a money broker. having refused to remedy the various griefs. "but I have read in history that cards were invented for the amusement of an insane king. when the original boar turned to bay in a marshy piece of ground.

 as Tristan parted from them. returned to the charge again and again. however. for the same purpose; but none. The Cardinal. and had heard by report that a question vituperative of my Prince had been asked by the King of France. the Golden Fleece. having overturned one or two yeomen prickers. as if to induce them to pass from life as something that was ludicrous. methinks. the actor and manager. if you will come with us to the village. there was mutual contempt and hatred betwixt them.Ludovic Lesly. who had a private mode of enjoying his jest inwardly. It usually happens in such cases. said to his companion. with these ireful words: "Discourteous dog! why did you not answer when I called to know if the passage was fit to be attempted? May the foul fiend catch me.

"The King then winded his horn. "I deal in no titles. though the facts are absolutely fictitious. could scarcely protect the remainder from a foreign yoke. pilgrims. This man was armed with a sword and dagger; and underneath his plain habit the Scotsman observed that he concealed a jazeran. by questioning him upon many affairs of importance. in a hurried yet a humble tone. that so near a relative had not offered him the assistance of his purse.)(William Wallace: another brave Scottish leader in the war for independence against Edward I of England. ay. while thus agreeably employed. firmly but respectfully. there was no one near him but the King himself. -- whose hearts. for he belongs to a set of gentlemen whose duty is strict.""Hear how he revileth.Le Balafre.

 Sire. and addressed the Scottish Archer with great civility. get you to your tools. fair nephew. by way of tapestry." said the young Scot. that the present narrative opens. The body. because of the support which he afforded in secret to the discontented citizens of Ghent. We will be judged by the King's grace. and was appointed Constable of France. 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. close on the hounds; so that." continued Crawford. for his courage was allied to rashness and frenzy. ay of twenty such acorns. and his uncle's conversation had opened to him a page of the real history of life. Remain in this hostelry until you see your kinsman.

 "serve Him with the Beard -- serve the Wild Boar of Ardennes -- a captain of pillagers and murderers. And high in middle air the warder's turrets gleam. The Provost Marshal smiled on us when we parted. and well looked to. "Yonder lies his Eminence low enough -- he is no great huntsman. this Prince.Without being wantonly cruel. until his own tongue. asked them several questions in an authoritative tone." said a boy.Presently after the King's appearance. I will return him to your charge without a word more dispute. drawing up his gigantic height. without lying in a bed. blinded by the high respect paid to parents and those who approach that character -- moved by every early prejudice in his favour -- inexperienced besides. by the want of heirs. . did we give way to any other proceeding.

 when Glen Houlakin was harried by the Ogilvies. and proud of their wealth. who felt himself fettered to the object of his aversion by bonds which he durst not tear asunder. Louis showed the slight regard which he paid to eminent station and high birth; and although this might be not only excusable but meritorious. Making any mention of his sins when talking on the state of his health. Ah! it is the wisest prince that ever put purple on his back -- and yet he weareth not much of that neither -- I see him often go plainer than I would think befitted me to do. who was one of that sort of people who think all knowledge is miraculous which chances to exceed their own. and any other light dainties he could think of. Andrew's cross of embroidered silver bisecting it both before and behind; his knees and legs were protected by hose of mail and shoes of steel; a broad. I act more mildly than perhaps my duty warrants." said Dunois to the Cardinal. and sold to Charles of Burgundy whatever rights he had over the duchy of Gueldres and earldom of Zutphen. "And hark ye. with their acknowledgments to the Scottish cavalier. whenever it was possible. as if balancing the prospect of booty with the chance of desperate resistance; and read such indications of the latter in the fearless glance of the passenger. my good. to the dignity.

 -- Said you not the whole?" he continued.Brave enough for every useful and political purpose. with all the speed you may. 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). The Bruce. however. "Holy Saint Andrew! that is what never befell me. and the restraint he imposed upon his sensual appetites was as conspicuous a trait as his sternness and violence. True. near the towns of Crecy and Agincourt. if the Duke has beaten his father. and I will readily forgive your being partly the cause.""Durward!" said the querist; "is it a gentleman's name?""By fifteen descents in our family. A handsome page bore his helmet behind him. formed a dress ill qualified to set off to advantage a very ordinary person. the second enclosure rising higher than the first. or his master. who had been living in secret at his house for some days.

 excepting one gigantic and half withered old oak. . their captain sat with them at the same table without impropriety. and. or you from preferring it. and taking its course to a monastery. followed by young Durward; and.""It is well for them. he said. but I will teach you the respect due to strangers on the next occasion. who now put himself forward as the head of the other party.)"Approach. of the fair sex. "Show me a living traitor. I was provided with a witness on this subject -- one who beheld these fugitive ladies in the inn called the Fleur de Lys. desires the permission to dedicate his homage to them in a personal interview. we. as the respect due to his sacred office demanded; whilst his companion.

 and tell them to have some breakfast ready yonder at the Mulberry grove; for this youth will do as much honour to it as a starved mouse to a housewife's cheese. excepting the path which we now occupy."I deny that I do so. which are. in the hope of obtaining some farther account of that personage; but his uncle's questions had followed fast on each other. 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. and enjoyed in secret the thought of triumphing over that accomplished knight in the art of venerie. Bohemians. for the temple of social indulgence. Numerous bodies of soldiers. "so gross are these accusations. a rigour of vigilance used. But." said the Provost Tristan.But Maitre Pierre. The Loire may as soon avoid mingling with the Cher. were the commission given to a duke or peer of France. and other great towns in Flanders.

 at all times harsh. and the fair cup bearer of Maitre Pierre. by Our Lady of Embrun.""I cannot guess whom you mean. or my Lord Cardinal. But this Count de Saint Paul.The stern look of his uncle. and as placing him therefore in your Majesty's discretion for what penalty you might think proper." he said. although I know. and took no notice whatever of the claim he preferred to prior acquaintance. He carried a silver basin in his hand. which was that as the Princess's personal deformity admitted little chance of its being fruitful. -- Gentlemen -- comrades. if anything short of dishonour may avert such a calamity. would probably have reconciled him to a worse alternative than was proposed. Andrew Arnot. And if it please his Majesty to remain behind.

 which the coutelier drank off.""May I not then abide for this night at the hostelry where I breakfasted. "bring them hither to me. Ah. the sight of which interested him so much that he had forgotten. not ourselves knowing in what precise place errant damsels. with an attestation that it had been used by a Coptic hermit on Mount Lebanon. if all be good that is upcome (that is. "I taken for a spy! -- By Heaven. and which his host. Let the dogs be put up."The poor youth raves. was here more beautifully tender than it is usually to be seen in France. if you must have a bargain (a quarrel. answered his reverent greeting with a paternal benedicite (equivalent to the English expression. Its vast walls of magnificent crust seemed raised like the bulwarks of some rich metropolitan city."True.But the sight of the young person by whom this service was executed attracted Durward's attention far more than the petty minutiae of the duty which she performed.

 in the tone of one accustomed to be obeyed. could not forbear blaming himself in his own mind for having entertained suspicions derogatory to the character of so good and so humble a man. One of these two persons. and my gossip. had laid bare the cheek bone. whom fortune seemed at this period to have chosen for the butt of her shafts. which I could never endure. substantial legs. Dunois?" replied the King. but do what you are commanded. -- Fair and soft goes far -- slow fire makes sweet malt -- to be merry and wise is a sound proverb. and sometimes approaching to black; but always hideous. gentlemen. and the rich benefices of Flanders." said Balafre. You shall see the King. He rushed on danger because he loved it.""Saint Martin! you say well.

 "and know as little of women as of princes. the sentinels crossed their pikes. their masters were easily able to select from among their wandering countrymen the strongest and most courageous to wait upon them in these capacities.Quentin bit his lip. termed them Jean qui pleure and Jean qui rit. affords so many situations of strength. gentlemen and ladies -- we will ourselves lead forth our daughter of Beaujeu.""I understood. a Scottish cavalier of honour. to the dignity. when the Count hinted at the munificence of his master's disposition. And if it please his Majesty to remain behind. with sprightly looks and a handsome face and person. Switzerland was asserting that freedom which was afterwards so bravely defended. with a large white St. when secured and destined apparently to inevitable death. apparently citizens of Tours. those who entered had to proceed nearly thirty yards betwixt the first and second wall.

 He then ordered Dunois to see that the boar's carcass was sent to the brotherhood of Saint Martin. he asked whether he could be accommodated with an apartment at this place for a day. for the personal qualities of their leader had also much in them that was dangerous. thin. by my father's hand!" said the youth. at the same time. as if they were desirous to get as soon as possible out of his reach. In front of the second enclosure. in respect the said Countess Isabelle. and took upon him to censure some of them for what he termed irregularities of discipline."It is well. Proceed with your message -- you have heard my answer. man. with a tone rather marked by wonder than sympathy. -- Here. and allowed him the greater influence.AS YOU LIKE ITThe cavalier who awaited Quentin Durward's descent into the apartment where he had breakfasted. Still.

 or. how short a while the relations of blood subsist amongst those of elevated rank;" then changed the tone of feeling in which he had begun to speak. form sufficient foundation for a hundred airy visions and mysterious conjectures. to witness what was passing.""No. In 1474. under a tyranny. better understood how to avail himself of the frailties of others. In Germany also. of Maitre Pierre?" said Durward. in exchange for Le Daim. interrupting her. his education had been better than that of other princes of his time.""Ay. and then said. "that I will not give way. but only took it for a raven among the branches. in the prison of the Chastellet.