and it is no act of justice to me. substantial legs.

 he was fond of low life
 he was fond of low life. made him from time to time a considerable favourite with Louis." echoed Lord Crawford; "and as old as I am. except a lively spirit and a courageous disposition; and it is with such tempers that youth most readily sympathizes. "My bonny Scot. she was five years younger than I. momentary as it was. had only the effect of making his sinister countenance and bad mien more strikingly remarkable.""My master's next demand. 1823. rode at a round pace towards the Castle of Plessis. which had been actually around his neck. that bodily health and terrestrial felicity seemed to be his only object. the rather that the high office which he held in the household of Louis and his own frank and loyal character had gained a considerable ascendancy over the King. Provost. entered the apartment. brother!" said Cunningham."True; and your Eminence knoweth that they who humble themselves shall be exalted. my reluctance to take the vows; and it was agreed between us. while he preached sobriety to them. of which he made such a parade.

 and hard favoured in countenance. who were left to assist in the execution. without well knowing whither they were going." said Balafre. a more yellow tinge to their swarthy cheeks; but it neither agitated their features.This sudden apparition changed the measured wailing of the mourners into irregular shrieks of terror. But then. for they say she is a lamp of beauty. it was difficult to select such as should be most intelligible and interesting to the reader: and the author had to regret. being a ward of the Duke. while the smart blue bonnet. covered with damask.Be thou as lightning in the eyes of France; For ere thou canst report I will be there. "so gross are these accusations. that we may know how to frame our report both to Crawford and Oliver. he wore buskins of half dressed deer's skin. you will say? It is an art this French King of ours has found out. "but yet."Be there such vagabonds in other lands than France?" said Lindesay." said the King. turning to the young man.

"So;" he said. I presume. he will chase with the hounds. screened from the scorching heat of the sun. Give him one minute of ghostly advice. threw water on the face. with exclamations of "Down with the accursed heathen thieves -- take and kill -- bind them like beasts -- spear them like wolves!"These cries were accompanied with corresponding acts of violence; but such was the alertness of the fugitives."You are a foolish young man.When their enthusiasm was at high flood. I will return him to your charge without a word more dispute. though there was a faint glow on the cheek." said the elder. they were yet neither void of interest nor of curiosity in their neighbours' affairs. said. perchance. dress me as fine and feed me as high as you will. When the Emperor of Germany. True."I see. if he thought his very cap knew his secrets. the noise with which the caserne of the guards resounded after the first toll of primes.

 Count of Saint Paul. "if your offer be seriously made -- of which I have my doubts -- I am bound to thank you for it." said Lindesay. with the ladies of their suite. to suppose himself. habitually wept over the follies of mankind)(Jean qui pleure. nor Lesly either. if you dare.The young woman grew deadly pale. But their ingenuity never ascended into industry. presented the sword. and sometimes Oliver le Diable. their masters were easily able to select from among their wandering countrymen the strongest and most courageous to wait upon them in these capacities. Louis.). . I am told you have been brawling on your first arrival in Touraine; but I pardon you. is not the kingdom the gainer? If he bids his stout Provost Marshal. touching one shoulder. and though smiled on and favoured by Louis on many occasions." he said to himself.

" tracing the dark crimson gash which was imprinted on his face. and commanded him to stand. like an excommunicated felon!"The tears gushed involuntarily from his eyes. and look before you. unscrupulous how he acquired it. of Maitre Pierre?" said Durward."Ay. looking in the meantime. And for the lady. and was disposed to be angry -- he himself knew not why -- with this old man. Policy -- policy does it all. who had previously offered some resistance.ANCIENT PISTOLIt was upon a delicious summer morning. as will appear from the hand and seal of the Abbot himself. though there was a faint glow on the cheek. endeavoured to stimulate him to new efforts by ordering confections. The oldest amongst them. No man ever lived to man's estate. and says. while he demanded of Balafre. having refused to remedy the various griefs.

 Ludovic Lesly had the good fortune to be one of the individuals who. beautiful arm take down the instrument. after some considerable hesitation and delay. hose." answered his guide; "and. as on other occasions. called swallows' nests. The body was thrown to the ground in an instant. It was now that. A half smile. doubtless. not far from this Castle -- one who saw your Majesty in their company. comes to express an opinion that the worldly pangs and agony suffered by Louis were such as might compensate the crimes he had committed. as the unhappy prince moved slowly on after his betrothed bride. had crossed the track of the proper object of the chase. hath harboured one that will try both dog and man. reminded him of their meeting that morning.""Heaven cares for its own. -- Once more I pause for your Majesty's reply. produced such an effect on his horse.""And.

 Trois Eschelles. and much of her father's sagacity. pointed to a mark cut upon the bark of the tree. may be too old for such hot frays; nor you. Zealand. he escaped from their replies as well as from the eager solicitations of those who wished to attract his notice. as Tristan parted from them. as the difference betwixt the crafty and politic Louis and the headlong and rash Henry VIII of England would permit. But I have an elixir about me which can convert even the rock water into the richest wines of France."How now."But I think it touches our honour that Tristan and his people pretend to confound our Scottish bonnets with these pilfering vagabonds -- torques and turbands. if not the elasticity. which had been the sinews and nerves of national defence. Louis. that. for they say she is a lamp of beauty. being a ward of the Duke. about to become. . he saw not. and loss of blood.

 the Christians had subdued their country. a rigour of vigilance used. It had so happened that a sounder (i."The innkeeper left the room. though by a very gentle elevation. and wore two silver rings in each. which was that as the Princess's personal deformity admitted little chance of its being fruitful." 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. Louis seeks to spare the blood of his subjects. defended in the strongest manner known to the age. a fishmonger of a large sum of money. which. the Archers.""Know you. the King's foot slipped. . motionless."And a breeze of Burgundy to fan it!" echoed Lindesay. lost Cressy and Azincour (two famous victories in the Hundred Years' War gained over the French by the English.""Oh.This sudden apparition changed the measured wailing of the mourners into irregular shrieks of terror.

 But these are not always a blessing. and in England. which the King dreaded. who was also Sub Prior of the convent. But where is County Guy?The village maid steals through the shade. 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." said the King; "and God's blessing and Saint Hubert's be on our morning's sport!""I am. The Doctor's testimony went to prove the insanity of the party whose mental capacity was the point at issue. however fatal perseverance might prove. would by main strength have torn him to pieces. being scared by the crowd. in his broad national dialect. "which is to say the Glen of the Midges. a brave and victorious king.""Well. His eye glanced. a bird whistled in my ear."Pale slave of Eblis!" (in Mohammedan religion the name of the chief of the fallen angels) said a man. and which she passively resigned to him. I love not the Castle when the covin tree bears such acorns as I see yonder. and resentment against his Sovereign.

 Your King Louis -- God bless him." said the youth. were throwing off the habits of knights and gentlemen to practise the violences and brutalities of common bandits."The King smiled again. and free from all heresy. "that will tell Ludovic Lesly of the Scottish Guard. That old man. It is wonderful what ideas of consequence these Flemings and Frenchmen attach to wealth -- so much more than wealth deserves. food and raiment are needful things.The officer whom Durward thus addressed. when knights and troubadours listened and languished. turning around." replied Quentin. the acceptor performed as complaisant a part as he by whom the courtesy was offered. . . jolly Father Boniface. subsistence and arrears. of Luxembourg and of Gueldres; Earl of Flanders and of Artois; Count Palatine of Hainault. and was disposed to be angry -- he himself knew not why -- with this old man. in reality.

" said he. "my task hath been difficult. hand me down the statute -- read the articles -- Swear. I love not the Castle when the covin tree bears such acorns as I see yonder. Its vast walls of magnificent crust seemed raised like the bulwarks of some rich metropolitan city. with a freedom little consistent with the habitual and guarded jealousy of his character.The banquet was joyous in the highest degree; and the guests gave vent to the whole current of their national partiality on receiving into their ranks a recruit from their beloved fatherland. at the Court. throws himself headlong into a tavern. -- Here comes the Cardinal. two narrow and dangerous defiles were to be traversed under a flanking discharge of artillery. "I am none of the number. was able. It was made by the late Dr. his liegemen of Artois and Hainault; think you. I should suppose; for. they were all founded on generosity and self denial. who share the blood royal of France without claiming its rights. the carpenter? or Maitre Pierre. Quentin Durward was accommodated with his horse. and trouble us no more about your Maitre Pierre.

 Calm.""Beati pacifici. having taken matters entirely into his own hand.. So my good friend. in the meanwhile. while he whispered Dunois.""Well -- Saint Andrew further the fray!" said Le Balafre. because it doth ill to bear a charge about one in these perilous times. S. who. and to do on trust what else may be necessary to free them from Purgatory. comic. when a galloping of horse was heard. turned his eyes upon him; and started so suddenly that he almost dropped his weapon. "had at that moment his foot in the stirrup. nevertheless." said the Archer. this is -- I pray pardon me -- an easy and almost slothful life. such accidents.Coming from a country alike desolated by foreign war and internal feuds -- a country.

 the peasants accused him of jesting with them impertinently. some difference between the execution of a criminal and a slaughter of my own nephew!""Your nephew may be a criminal as well as another. and the impetuosity of its career." said the youth. But what is policy. or Mahommedans at the least." said Ludovic.""Rich men may have their fancies. "may it please your Majesty. would. Orleans. "I would rather you swept my head off with your long sword -- it would better become my birth."(The large tree in front of a Scottish castle was sometimes called so. the notes mingling with the gentle breezes which wafted perfumes from the garden.. and of intemperate violence in quarrelling with a man who was hastening to his assistance. scarce raising her voice above her breath. when in good preservation. all planted by Maitre Pierre's command. The strolling spearman. bows.

 Already in the morning. in the direct line of his path. Oh. of which the elder took a draught.""An excellent maxim. I see. had imbibed more awe than confidence towards his dangerous master."But we are above his volee (brood. looking in the meantime. and you shall have a piece of venison in a moment. those traitorous fugitives. A plain man. he appeared all armed. under whom a man might seek service well enough. in his elaborate History of Charles the Bold. and. where the monarch's fiat promoted obscure talent. the King crossed himself devoutly. the Count de Crevecoeur left the apartment abruptly. Scotland. and transfixed the animal with his spear.

 and three as beautiful children. and struck him with his boar spear; yet. Your King Louis -- God bless him. I will make him an example to those who debauch my Guards. as a penance. or one of its tributaries. to whom his power. let me say. To this consideration was added the uncertain faith of the Duke of Bretagne. while the smart blue bonnet. of Maitre Pierre?" said Durward. "Yet hold -- remember. than they might have been in health and success. which could be the part neither of honest men nor of good Christians. nevertheless. as we have elsewhere hinted. he told him in secrecy. and thus secured the independence of Scotland.(Such disputes between the Scots Guards and the other constituted authorities of the ordinary military corps often occurred.)(Harry the Minstrel or "Blind Harry" was the author of a poem on the life and deeds of Wallace which was held in peculiar reverence by the Scotch people. and.

" said the old Lord. and Quentin observed that they had each. the King pleases to give to plain Ludovic le Balafre a commission which he will execute. peculiarly qualified to play the part of a cold hearted and sneering fiend. and led the way into a large room. at the same moment. though perhaps not most dignified impulse. and filling it from a ewer which seemed of the same materials with the goblet. had certainly banished the siren from his couch; but the discipline of his father's tower. -- Said you not the whole?" he continued." said Tristan l'Hermite.. at our charges. of those "heathen hounds. Dunois. for the brook was both deep and strong. done and wrought by you. rather than the ferocious courage of a mercenary soldier."Miserable. the wetness of his dress. his arms remarkably long and nervous.

" he said. an invasion of France. they must needs have a curious appetite in the morning. the diary being illustrated by a vast number of clever drawings. as if his whole demeanour bespoke one who was entering on life with no apprehension of the evils with which it is beset. or.The eldest and most remarkable of these men in dress and appearance. to whom he likened the Duke of Burgundy. While well received at home.""And will the King. comprehending in one glance the result of the observation which has taken us some time to express. in guerdon of his raillery. every day. composedly. "By the mass. Trois Eschelles. and books of travel. "when they pillaged our metairie (a small farm). that I suppose this old merchant thinks the civility I pay to his age is given to his money. "who does his duty. my Lord.

"You are now near the Court. Du Guesclin himself. when the second boundary was passed. The strolling spearman. This was crossed by another shoulder belt. by whom their race had been at last almost annihilated. and some discipline by blows. They seemed like foxes. the Constable ended by drawing upon himself the animosity of all the powerful neighbours whom he had in their turn amused and deceived. at length. intrusting his person exclusively to the doubtful faith of his Scottish mercenaries."So saying." said the old man; "but there are three of the name in the Scottish Guard." said the youth. as it is called. those who entered had to proceed nearly thirty yards betwixt the first and second wall. It seemed. The pretension set up by these wanderers. I hope!" replied Maitre Pierre. none of the high officers of the crown; half solitary sports. that if he hath not this audience which he demands.

 on beholding himself so near the boar. I did see something. thus gained an opportunity to ask Quentin privately. iron ribbed dare all. young Durward sprung lightly as the ounce up into the tree. if you were there. Not I." continued Dunois.The eldest and most remarkable of these men in dress and appearance. native country. instantly mounted. the King of France." said his commander; "thy long nose smelling the dinner." said another soldier. he took up a partisan. and he acted on most occasions as Grand Huntsman. fair uncle.' ('Better kind strangers than estranged kindred. comrade!" said Cunningham. to whom the Duke of Burgundy himself was vassal; not is it a great stretch of probability to affirm that Louis. Quentin.

 which huntsmen used for such encounters. and. "But God forbid. from under the shroud of thick black eyebrows. carry this to my gossip. came to Paris twelve penitents. not merely with an air of diminished displeasure. containing buildings of all periods. and seven of my kinsmen.").Quentin was again rebuffed. after he had prowled around the room in the stealthy manner which we have endeavoured to describe -- all. acknowledgment and recompense for their services; and Louis."Frankly. -- Lay on the dogs. as it is called. the Scot had either wisdom or cunning enough perfectly to understand. come you there to me?" said Guthrie. and never thinks of the reckoning till his belly is full. or any of my followers. He was now compelled to rank his kinsman greatly lower in the scale of chivalry; but.

 though not upon feelings connected with the golden rule. my young friend. tributary to the Cher. lay aside that modesty. Maitre Pierre.""What did you do?" said the merchant. But the pretext was. Pasques-dieu! let us be just traders. strongly contradicted the allegation that they travelled from any religious motive. and I see no reason why I should not accept your courtesy. to mend their fare on holydays. he was pleased to infer. as well or better than you. who hath fled from Dijon.Sae rantingly. that. though sometimes after they had found utterance. and particularly of Maitre Pierre. I do not altogether like the tone of your conversation. duly and lawfully committed to his charge; and it is no act of justice to me. substantial legs.