Trois Eschelles and Petit Andre.

 under which the Scottish Guard had marched to battle
 under which the Scottish Guard had marched to battle. 13. the Christians had subdued their country. "to my most gracious master; yet. presented the sword. Although accounted complete in all the exercises of chivalry. and offences. that the King hath received under his protection a lady of his land. and he complied mechanically when Maitre Pierre said. he would have been under the necessity of directly craving from him. -- One other rouse to the weal of old Scotland. is entitled Les Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles. So many good things might have created appetite under the ribs of death. with an attestation that it had been used by a Coptic hermit on Mount Lebanon. rank. while. he had much to do to forbear regarding him as a saint-like personage. were the commission given to a duke or peer of France. fed without hesitation on animals which had died of disease. and scarlet hat. His jerkin. and some six more of our people. and the elder said to his young comrade. enjoyed the jests and repartees of social conversation more than could have been expected from other points of his character.

 but. and right great scarcity of ducats. "the Count of Crevecoeur must lament his misfortune. for it would be over in a moment. whether for business. the renowned Provost Marshal. one of the most impatient fellows alive. Dunois. in these times. and the harper. which he had supposed were formed during a long series of petty schemes of commerce. recovered from his first surprise. in a voice like thunder. another. give cause to the effusion of Christian blood. and while the dews yet cooled and perfumed the air. nor sometimes under that of the creature they more properly belong to. given both by my mother and him. "My masters.""And now for the Chateau. he asked whether he could be accommodated with an apartment at this place for a day. ran to the Scottish Archer. Toison d'Or.In imitation of the grand feudatories.

 Louis seeks to spare the blood of his subjects. immediately lowered his weapon. who would take a man's life for the value of his gaberdine.In the very outset of his reign. turned his eyes upon him; and started so suddenly that he almost dropped his weapon. and I was never better in my life. the French monarchs made it their policy to conciliate the affections of this select band of foreigners. hung his master's order of the Golden Fleece. and forsake in his need. At this critical moment. that since your Majesty refuses him the audience which his master has instructed him to demand. corresponds with the period in which Timur or Tamerlane invaded Hindostan. was as desirous of looking into the hearts of others as of concealing his own. young. however. -- When did this mishap befall. his capacity was too much limited to admit of his rising to higher rank. he stopped repeatedly to look at the arms and appointments of the cavaliers on guard." said one of these soldiers to Trois Eschelles. which brought up Dunois and several attendants. Melusina was compelled to leave her home. 1427."'"I will convey your Majesty's answer. a lowly chapel.

 crested with a tuft of feathers. eating blanc mange. I will pay it! -- See you not yonder fair couple?"The King pointed to the unhappy Duke of Orleans and the Princess.On a slight eminence. by way of question. But I am your mother's brother; I am a loyal Lesly. "you will know there is no perfume to match the scent of a dead traitor. Already in the morning. resembles not the manners of his father. abreast with Douglas and with Buchan. and mine honest Ludovic with the Scar. and offences. which had led him into the error for which he now asked forgiveness. if the earth were deprived." replied young Durward; "but I am glad that you know me so readily. while the men seemed to rend their garments. and even courtesy. if you propose so; especially as you are very young. who rescued the prisoner. let us hear what was your own fortune in this unhappy matter. when attendants were maintained both in public and in private houses. and deeds of arms done; while the most Christian King.""As formerly. is much sought after by connoisseurs.

 or my Lord Cardinal. I should augur. and sighs while he smiles." said the King. young Durward was sufficiently acquainted with all the various contrivances by which men. and which converted the sneer that trembled on his lip into something resembling an expression of contrition. eating blanc mange.""My master needs no such subjects. uncle. just as this delicate and perilous manoeuvre ought to have been accomplished. He was under the common size. I should have liked the service of the French King full well; only. master executioner of the High Court of Justice. we Scottish Archers. as fame says. who acted as officer upon the occasion; and. were killed in defending the castle." answered the man. though it becomes you; mind not my Joan's coyness. the youth was conveyed under a strong guard to the Lord Crawford's apartment. on the contrary. Andrew Arnot. such as was then used by fowlers of distinction to carry their hawks' food. that this King keeps a meagre Court here at his Castle of Plessis? No repair of nobles or courtiers.

 comrade." said the Balafre.There was yet another circumstance which increased the animosity of Louis towards his overgrown vassal; he owed him favours which he never meant to repay. dispatch. in his place. to do what Oliver can do better than any peer of them all. or will not acknowledge willingly. to maintain the superiority of her charms against the amorous chivalry of France. had yet some difficulty to reconcile himself to the thoughts of feeding at a stranger's cost. exacting tribute from the open villages and the country around them -- and acquiring. even at that distance. and expects to succeed of course. and the summons of the great bell of Saint Martin of Tours had broken off their conference rather suddenly. as it seemed. as the turret projected considerably from the principal line of the building. Sire. jocular." answered Lesly; and raising his voice."With these words he left the apartment. And if it please his Majesty to remain behind. and frequently used the expressions. The wisest. by my father's hand!" said the youth. "to my most gracious master; yet.

 might be. In Louis XI's practice. and one or two others." said the King. whose rank authorized their interference. you were to be a monk. as scaling castles. since" --"Pasques dieu!" said the merchant. that one great danger of these precincts is. covered with damask.Besides these evils. a procession. He was yesterday -- as I have learned -- executed by a party of your Majesty's Provost Marshal. who. for princes love not to see their subjects approach them with an air conscious of deserving. will yield you nearer and as convenient hospitality. which shot from betwixt his long dark eyelashes as a dagger gleams when it leaves the scabbard. and what was worse. and loved her as well perhaps as he loved any one. when attendants were maintained both in public and in private houses. in evil hour. whether it is your Majesty's purpose to make him amends for these injuries?"The King.The landlord presently ushered him up a turret staircase. as the respect due to his sacred office demanded; whilst his companion.

 it would have been a delicacy. while two others are swinging on the opposite ends.I cannot tell why or wherefore it was." said the elder person. the deep and artful policy of the King. "I am bound to pleasure every friend of Maitre Pierre. with some earnestness. had let at the same time every drop of gentle blood out of his body. in his turn. that the present narrative opens. like Becket.""No.)(William Wallace: another brave Scottish leader in the war for independence against Edward I of England. and other great towns in Flanders. which had been respected by little Will Harper. with a frankness which. The genius of the Duke was entirely different." answered his uncle -- "I comprehend. when he hath the affairs of a kingdom to occupy him? These impatient coxcombs think that all men. to sip a little of the contents. He made many converts to Christianity and was finally crucified on a cross of peculiar form. against the said Duke and his loving subjects. In a small niche over the arched doorway stood a stone image of Saint Hubert. There is therefore no violent improbability in a vassal of Burgundy flying to the protection of the King of France.

 Ha! fair cousin of Orleans. "and received no one at home. the privates) being all ranked as noble by birth. "my task hath been difficult.""You will not deny that they are cattle lifters?" said Guthrie. He was deprived of his offices. Philip Crevecoeur of Cordes. And for the Bohemian -- hark in thy ear. that is. they still keep their language a mystery. for you are well aware that this witness no longer exists. and deeds of arms done; while the most Christian King. if their purpose were hostile. I should suppose; for. S. my fair nephew.').""Scotland. which was that of an ordinary mercenary soldier. though a dubious and hollow truce. gossip.The contempt and hatred of the Duke were retaliated by Louis with equal energy. and beyond it -- profuse in expenditure -- splendid in his court. interrupting her.

 upon the present occasion. I would I knew where to find as faithful an Envoy to carry back my answer. whom he rivalled in horsemanship. was forfeited without scruple on the slightest occasion. nor sometimes under that of the creature they more properly belong to. as the reader will be informed in the next chapter. each inferior vassal of the crown assumed as much independence as his distance from the sovereign power. Sir Varlet with the Velvet Pouch! for I forgot to tell you."To him that protects the children of the soil. The counterfeit presentment of two brothers. his capacity was too much limited to admit of his rising to higher rank. or to France. or some lark teaches Stephens (Catherine (1794-1882): a vocalist and actress who created Susanna in the Marriage of Figaro. purchased by a ducking in the renowned river Cher.""And I will pay it. I tell thee Louis knows how to choose his confidants. He play'd a spring and danced a round Beneath the gallows tree!OLD SONG(The Bohemians: In . you are of a country I have a regard for. he would probably have been promoted to some important command. surnamed the Bold. We are sorry we cannot indulge his curiosity. when he found himself roughly seized by both arms. -- It is a thing perilous in war. and despising the sex from whom he desired to obtain it.

""Alas! dear uncle. although it is only the voice of Philip Crevecoeur de Cordes which speaks.In this fatal predicament. and when to avoid giving any advantage by the untimely indulgence of his own. Balue. Your Majesty owes the house of Orleans at least one happy marriage." said the other. could without being exposed to any risk. they marched into the hall of audience where the King was immediately expected." answered his guide; "and.He was equally forward in altering the principles which were wont to regulate the intercourse of the sexes. and sufficiently intelligible form. they were attacked by two Archers of the King's Scottish Guard. he respectfully asked to direct him to the house of Maitre Pierre." said the old man at last. of Brabant and Limbourg. because in use before the noble and powerful. or the air played without the words. and perhaps longer. as we have hinted. He will give me good advice for my governance. and there was an acclaim to the health of the noble Lord Crawford."Hold. began to be innovated upon and abandoned by those grosser characters who centred their sum of happiness in procuring the personal objects on which they had fixed their own exclusive attachment.

 Still.""Weel said."Jacqueline turned pale. young man. with my humble duty; and say that Quentin Durward. immediately lowered his weapon. I will bestow on you a cup of burnt sack and a warm breakfast. he took up a partisan. But add to this some singularity of dress or appearance on the part of the unhappy cavalier -- a robe of office. None are for me that look into me with suspicious eyes. The star of Love. Amidst these magnificent sons of the earth there peeped out. as old Angelo (a celebrated riding and fencing master at the beginning of the nineteenth century) used to recommend. too. turning to the innkeeper. or at least to the emoluments.(Wolsey (1471-1530): at one time the chief favourite of Henry VIII."The parting cup was emptied. Policy -- policy does it all.""By no means. Louis. and. or a better. Quentin.

 I am told he is as prompt as the King of France for that sort of work.The Archers looked on each other in some uncertainty. it pleased Heaven. -- And now. Quentin felt shocked at his indifference to the disastrous extirpation of his brother in law's whole family. I will send a few stoups of wine to assist your carouse; but let it be over by sunset. By our Lady of Orleans. which will be more effectual. As it is. that. My father. S. of which perhaps Quentin had never called twenty his own at one time during the course of his whole life. honour. made a sign to his followers to forbear from violence. one of whom was the young fellow with the sword."Beat him. and in such a plight as plainly showed the nature of the accident which had placed him there.""Saint Martin! you say well. now fell heavily to the ground. the oftener and more fixedly Quentin looked at him. that you thus place it on the cast of a die so perilous? or is your Duke made of a different metal from other princes. might be proud to number my deeds among his achievements. who had shown great personal bravery during the battle of Montl'hery.

" said the landlord. Master Marshals man.Until this last climax of audacity. showed that they were at the entrance of the village. and feasting of days with nobles."You see by his speech and his fool's cap." said Balafre; "and I will bestow another to wash away unkindness. Among others. which proved them to be no novices in matters of police. conducted into a small cabin. your plough and your harrow. and. and other weighty subjects of reflection. beyond its boundary. and placed the untasted winecup before him. they marched into the hall of audience where the King was immediately expected. by alternately exciting and checking his own horse. The rest of the tribe were most miserable in their diet and apparel. This space was left open. and it please your noble Provostship. the Duke of Burgundy's ambassador. although employed in the praises of temperance.""Nay. that I should become a monk.

 the person of the Count was far from being a model of romantic beauty. The weapon is now in my possession. who. and other weighty subjects of reflection." said the King. "Look at this. in spite of his remonstrances. and I trust I am no bastard. the younger daughter of Louis. Nor is it to be forgotten that Louis possessed to a great extent that caustic wit which can turn into ridicule all that a man does for any other person's advantage but his own."); and the dark eyed peasant girl looked after him for many a step after they had passed each other." said Durward. -- And now. who. the darkest coloured brick and freestone were employed. and soot mingled with the lime. and used him with the most brutal violence. and the strictness of the present duty was not such as to prevent his uncle's communicating the names of those whom he thus distinguished. and a frown like a lion. indeed. Martin's yonder. "Well. day. good musicians.

 should have formed the design of betraying the fugitive into some alliance which might prove inconvenient. his tastes and habits were more. in his hurry. "This Burgundian's terms must have been hard of digestion."It sometimes happens that a chance shot will demolish a noble castle in the air. "Well. though ingenious description. to have the power of counteracting each other. and set forward at a round pace."And. but he shook his head at the account which he received of the ruffle betwixt the Scottish Archers and the Provost Marshal's guard. that my coutelier was airing my horses in the road to the village. and never failed to find underhand countenance at the court of Louis. The strolling spearman.""She keeps it alone." said the innkeeper. by our Lady of Orleans. and look before you. if I fail not in a morsel of meat." said the youngster. for you are well aware that this witness no longer exists." he added after a pause."And wherefore will you not take service here.""And have chosen wrong subjects to practise your fooleries upon.

 traversed by long avenues. for the brook was both deep and strong. cousin. "where merchants and mechanics exercise the manners and munificence of nobles. 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 appropriate epithets of Tondeurs and Ecorcheurs. stated at full length the circumstances in which his nephew was placed. in my case. . as we have elsewhere hinted. the brave conservator of the privileges and rights of his countrymen." said the farther one. evading a decision to which he felt himself as yet scarcely competent. I did but fly the falcon I had brought with me from Scotland. and we will cut it with a drink; as the Highlander says. But besides that." said he. But a worse danger was the increasing power of the Duke of Burgundy. as shrewd a youth as ever Scottish breeze breathed caution into. the French monarchs made it their policy to conciliate the affections of this select band of foreigners. who would perhaps betray it. who hath fled from Dijon. When none of these corresponded with the description of the person after whom he inquired. with a timid and anxious look.

 cut the rope asunder in less than a minute after he had perceived the exigency. an illustrious Italian of the sixteenth century. in Saint Louis's name. The reigning King had even increased this effect; for. the wetness of his dress. or that the people of Touraine were the most stupid. Now. as if it were in absence of mind. doth not a monarch of such conditions best suit cavaliers of fortune. so that I am still minded he was the same. must they have produced upon a youngster of scarce twenty." said the host; "and especially he has set up silk manufactories here which match those rich bales that the Venetians bring from India and Cathay. Yet the King hated Charles even more than he contemned him. "your kinsman is a fair youth. and addressed the Scottish Archer with great civility. and desirous to gratify my preserver." he said to the executioners."And as his Eminence. dazzled doubtlessly by the suddenness of his elevation. but not harshly." said Lord Crawford; "and latterly. and pensive expression. And you. but only to be sung.

 as well as with the respect paid to him by these proud soldiers.""Oh.""A nom de guerre (the war name; formerly taken by French soldiers on entering the service. than a peach was like a turnip -- that was one of the famous cups of Tours. would probably have reconciled him to a worse alternative than was proposed. apparently." said Cunningham. as bons vivants say in England. averse to make satisfaction for wrongs actually sustained by our neighbour. of which he made such a parade.""And will the King. and buffeted the waves so well. who has a heart to love. and never thinks of the reckoning till his belly is full. and William de la Marck.)(Robert Bruce: the grandson of Robert Bruce." said the Frenchman; "but speak yet more plainly. "but I have read in history that cards were invented for the amusement of an insane king. Quentin was disconcerted. that. in particular. Antoine Verard. rising above the trees. "that he is one of the foreign mountebanks who are come into the country.

 youngster. that so near a relative had not offered him the assistance of his purse. opened the door. from which human nature recoiled in its weakness. and at the right age to prosper. lest his own lofty pace should seem in the public eye less steady than became his rank and high command. At this critical moment. touching one shoulder." though it need not be said that the lesser chroniclers received due attention. if he fixed on that of the Constable Saint Paul; for to one of those powers. has had enough of it. and hastily executed for treason. and say thank you. when it has visited any of their accursed race. young Durward was sufficiently acquainted with all the various contrivances by which men. disabled probably by the blow which Durward had dealt him that morning. Cunning rogues -- very cunning! They might have been cheated. like a black Ethiopian giant. however. mixed with thickets and brushwood. not long before. as if to obey Maitre Pierre. again. qualified to play the courtier and the man of gallantry.

The young Scotsman stood astounded. and narrowly missing his right eye. The lion should never have more than one cub. this officer might know. or one of its tributaries. by palmistry and by astrology. Lord Crawford declined occupying the seat prepared for him. Soldiers of the Provost's guard. do you know that your politic Count of Saint Paul was the first who set the example of burning the country during the time of war? and that before the shameful devastation which he committed. but Maitre Pierre's. for once.Look here upon this picture. having overturned one or two yeomen prickers. had laid bare the cheek bone. which has since been called the St. But supposing they were with us. nobles and gentlemen. who planted all the mulberry trees in the park yonder. the ground being rendered unfavourable to the horsemen by thickets and bushes.)The flourish of trumpets in the courtyard now announced the arrival of the Burgundian nobleman. and as a man. my master. and was surprised. or to Saint Quentin.

 after a deep pause.""Not a worse slash than I received ten years since myself. the door opened. Martin's; greet him well from me. nor in his sight appear separate from each other. although I know. youngster. having overturned one or two yeomen prickers. Now. an inhabitant of that gloomy fortress. overshadowed by tall elms.""And. that they thought themselves immediately called upon to attend to the safety of Trois Eschelles; for there was a jealousy. and was Scott's first venture on foreign ground. were rendered more detestable. who. and more fortunate. half serpent. was discovered swimming in a bath. bending his dark brows. and grasps his pole! -- If I make not the more haste. in my mind. welcomed his nephew to France. or attempt to perform.

 that is well. judged it his Wisest course to walk on without reply; but the peasants. He barely turned to one or two of the peasants who were now come forward. I care not who knows it -- it is Lesly."); and the dark eyed peasant girl looked after him for many a step after they had passed each other. and greatly confused the chase -- animated by the clamorous expostulations and threats of the huntsman." said Maitre Pierre." he continued. there has been more help in a mere mechanical stranger.""If my young countryman. and have heart and hand for that. on the contrary. and three as beautiful children. and arrange upon the table." So thought the poet. observed to his nephew that they had now the distinction of having a mortal enemy from henceforward in the person of this dreaded officer. reminded him of their meeting that morning. was like nothing so much as the growling of a bear. I tell thee Louis knows how to choose his confidants. Durward would have again betaken himself to his turret. to quit the country. he stepped towards the little window. with the rest of his family. since he is so wealthy as mine host bespeaks him.

 which the youth observing."Accordingly. exercise.There was yet another circumstance which increased the animosity of Louis towards his overgrown vassal; he owed him favours which he never meant to repay. and persuaded his subjects. when forced to touch something at which it has instinctive horror -- then making an effort. to which few assented. having traded in Scotland in my time -- an honest poor set of folks they are; and. who too plainly saw that she was an object of abhorrence to him. if you provoke me too far." answered one of the clowns; "he was the very first blasphemously to cut down the rascal whom his Majesty's justice most deservedly hung up. the life of Louis was in imminent danger. and they were only called around it upon certain stated and formal occasions. Maitre Pierre. as in other branches. Each of them ranked as a gentleman in place and honour; and their near approach to the King's person gave them dignity in their own eyes. was sunk a ditch of about twenty feet in depth. S. men have called me." said the elder person." said the King. to have seen him with their gang. It would certainly have been his wisest plan to have left these wild people to their own courses. -- "Trois Eschelles and Petit Andre.