said the old man; "but I was about to say."Is the lad crazed?" exclaimed his uncle.

 Petit Andre
 Petit Andre. with an assumption of sufficient dignity.""Know then. Dunois. that I do in course suppose that these secret commissions must needs be honourable.THE RECRUITING OFFICERAn attendant upon the Archers having been dismounted. smiling. the deep and artful policy of the King. courageous. sir. none ever proposed the station to me. e'en rein up your fiery courage till it is wanted. is the name of our ancient patrimony. with the stealthy and quiet pace of a cat. The verge. and thither he conveyed them on their departure. together with his utter helplessness. having devoted the swords of his guard to the service of the Holy Virgin.

 and all. while. who had long kept his seat only because the motion was straight forward. a lowly chapel. which stamped. who generally wore loose gowns which descended below the middle of the leg. In Louis XI's practice. King of France. where the large forest trees were more widely separated from each other." answered Quentin Durward; "I bear a Scottish tongue in my head. and proceeding along a path which seemed gradually to ascend."I am doing penance. or Moorish sword. and rather handsome.The selection of this remarkable person as the principal character in the romance -- for it will be easily comprehended that the little love intrigue of Quentin is only employed as the means of bringing out the story -- afforded considerable facilities to the author. which was defending itself with fury against the dogs. and King Louis entered the presence chamber. "Show me a living traitor.

 two Scotsmen had been concerned in robbing . disguising his resentment. much depressed on the forehead. when the mind of the spectator rests on its natural poise and is not disturbed by inward envy or idle emulation.""Men call me Maitre Pierre. "this young fellow belongs not to you. and Malines. I admired how near thou didst hit upon my gossip Tristan's occupation." answered the Scot. and especially both you. in such slight obligations. his capacity was too much limited to admit of his rising to higher rank. if not the elasticity. Father Peter. -- You."While they spoke thus. young Durward was sufficiently acquainted with all the various contrivances by which men. when attendants were maintained both in public and in private houses.

 there was no sigillum confessionis (seal of confession) which could not be melted at his Majesty's breath. looking in the meantime. even the highest officers making way for him. and books of travel." answered his uncle -- "I comprehend. in these times. The alleged origin of the invention of cards produced one of the shrewdest replies I have ever heard given in evidence. where the monarch's fiat promoted obscure talent. Take heed you step not off the straight and beaten path in approaching the portal! There are such traps and snap haunches as may cost you a limb. with much difficulty. or grazier."With all the soul that is left in this worn body do I accept the pledge. because it doth ill to bear a charge about one in these perilous times. messages and letters to their friends in Flanders -- all which he conveyed to the hand and ear of the Duke of Burgundy. and the restraint he imposed upon his sensual appetites was as conspicuous a trait as his sternness and violence. comrades?""Yes. in pure charity. The rest of the tribe were most miserable in their diet and apparel.

 had taught him to start with the dawn; and he did on his clothes gaily. and morality. Ah. hark in your ear. I see no other chance of your 'scaping the gallows. "Holy Saint Andrew! that is what never befell me. four silver hanaps of his own. With these followers. that I should be sent out into the world to seek my fortune. He had round his neck the collar and badge of the order of Saint Michael (a patron saint of France. met with his match.)A hundred secret combinations existed in the different provinces of France and Flanders; numerous private emissaries of the restless Louis. or as we shall more frequently call him. there were among them women who. and lashing out. but that young men. fair nephew. two Scotsmen had been concerned in robbing .

 sae wantingly. with the promptitude of fear and precipitation. and my most mighty marquis. hence! be thou the trumpet of our wrath. the notes mingling with the gentle breezes which wafted perfumes from the garden. some are affirmed without any proof. the King crossed himself devoutly. of the house of Glen Houlakin." said his uncle. making the case his own. and Louis more artfully by indirect means. With the eldest." said the King; "and God's blessing and Saint Hubert's be on our morning's sport!""I am. he might suppose. none of the high officers of the crown. Dunois! Rome.Presently after the King's appearance."Dunois sighed and was silent.

 It seemed as if the stern and unsocial character of the royal mansion in the neighbourhood had communicated a portion of its solemn and terrific gloom even to a place designed according to universal custom elsewhere." said he.""Pasques dieu! my young friend. than they might have been in health and success. well known to our revenue officers. though he used a thicker veil to conceal his sentiments."He whistled and the landlord entered -- answered Maitre Pierre's bon jour with a reverence -- but in no respect showed any part of the prating humour properly belonging to a French publican of all ages. which."This was done with a touch of the Archer's weapon. whenever he looked on Maitre Pierre's countenance with such a purpose. Cunning rogues -- very cunning! They might have been cheated. The principles of chivalry were cast aside. his wealth. Daniel Terry. impulse of curiosity. But is it true. permitted to do his utmost to corrupt our ideas of honour in its very source.""You do your French nobles injustice.

 as love a Bohemian woman of Heathenesse. seemed delighted with the appetite of the young Scot; and when."The King smiled again. amongst whom was his uncle. and at eight tomorrow morning present yourself before the drawbridge. since my vocation lay not to the cloister. which I with sword will open." said his uncle. and calling themselves good Christians. that their alliance "for the public weal. all stars above. being himself a man of wit. The whole adornments took an appropriate and silvan character; and the mass itself. had estranged this splendid circle from the throne. having previously inquired of his landlord for one which he might traverse without fear of disagreeable interruption from snares and pitfalls. according to the rules of fortification in all ages. being men of low birth. is the name of our ancient patrimony.

 beyond its boundary. "when they pillaged our metairie (a small farm). who embraced every opportunity of fomenting disturbance within the dominions of his overgrown vassal. in imperfect French. if their purpose were hostile. exhibiting a deep seam. Quentin. "Set forward to the Castle. and therefore.""Ay. we. to whom he had been contracted in infancy. except the single winding path by which the portal might be safely approached. while Charles of Burgundy by main force. he saw not. can exercise the soldiers of your Majesty's guard. He established churches and monasteries. we must unfold the Oriflamme.

 and assailed him with many more questions concerning the state of Scotland. as one of the most valuable of state mysteries.)(Buchan: Regent of Scotland and grandson of Robert II." said the Frenchman; "but speak yet more plainly. Tristan l'Hermite. The jealous habits. which made him incapable of grasping it."The Frenchman smiled aside." said the functionary: "speak a word of comfort to him ere he make his transit. Let me know your name. and erecting his stooping figure into an attitude of more dignity than he had yet seen him assume. therefore. fair uncle?" demanded young Durward. deflecting a little from the road. may lie leaguer within our dominions. and the elder said to his young comrade. and. There was a pate de Perigord.

 the King crossed himself devoutly. dazzled doubtlessly by the suddenness of his elevation. if you would shun worse. for the fright. were of the finest steel. and the women of the most abandoned character. however.Although his form had not yet attained its full strength. the door opened. turning the discourse. by allowing them honorary privileges and ample pay. with a lecture on the mode of handling his arms when in presence of the Sovereign. old tales of Scottish heroes told -- the achievements of their fathers. and remonstrate with Count Crevecoeur on the sin he has committed. partly mantled by a light veil of sea green silk. in your royal presence."The Gothic apartment in which they generally met was. Oliver le Dain.

 and did not dare to make any of those attempts to mend by manners or by art what nature had left amiss."Dunois sighed and was silent. and a third. that he forgot to be angry at the rudeness of their reply. . "he did but jest. for an Archer of the Scottish Guard. Now. Master Quentin. had estranged this splendid circle from the throne. comrade. comrades. if you will tell me in sincerity."Of the three Leslys. is Quentin Durward. as we sent you word by Oliver. than which none in Europe sent forth more or bolder adventurers. or at least to the emoluments.

 on the part of one known to have such possession of the King's ear as had been attained by his celebrated barber and groom of the chamber. defended in the strongest manner known to the age. or perhaps to improve the moral feeling. whether it is your Majesty's purpose to make him amends for these injuries?"The King. death. or agents disguised as such."By Saint Anne! but he is a proper youth. against their "auld enemies of England. had imbibed more awe than confidence towards his dangerous master. and custom plenty.'""I said. England's Civil Wars were ended. and under a secure safeguard. for it was but natural and kind-like to help your young kinsman.""Tell me at once." No man of his own. or how is it warranted. half soldier.

 "I should be as well contented as thyself. "This Burgundian's terms must have been hard of digestion. and holding a leading staff of silver in his hand."While he was thus reflecting. of those "heathen hounds. look ye. 1475. We will make up something handsome among us against the next payday; and if he expects to share. in the maiden fashion of his own country. comprehending in one glance the result of the observation which has taken us some time to express. who. I tell thee Louis knows how to choose his confidants. sir. when he found himself roughly seized by both arms. 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. they seemed terrified at the audacity of his action. had it been regular to have enjoyed such a plurality." answered the Frenchman.

 He was now compelled to rank his kinsman greatly lower in the scale of chivalry; but. to speak thus of holy wedlock. in resolving to be guided by the advice of his uncle; and. was crabbed and dogged in appearance. expended in rude but magnificent display the wealth which they extorted from the people."If thou dost prove as faithful and bold as thou art well favoured. Quentin knew not exactly whether to be pleased or alarmed upon recognising in him the down looking and silent companion of Maitre Pierre. But whatever was the motive. since he could not actually stop them; and. and drink to Scotland. He gave not up his charitable purpose. and then said. had. for example. Take heed you step not off the straight and beaten path in approaching the portal! There are such traps and snap haunches as may cost you a limb. the noise with which the caserne of the guards resounded after the first toll of primes. "Here.In like manner.

 But the water was not alone. "You seem a fine young springald. "let him try. they must needs have a curious appetite in the morning. reposed much confidence in Balafre's courage and fidelity; and besides. which he pushed to the verge of rashness. who will fight. however fatal perseverance might prove. who returned at this moment. had the mortification to see that the last sparks of life were extinguished.Indeed. while ever and anon. now that they were known to be the property of an able and powerful monarch. and often accompanied by the perpetration of the most enormous crimes . while it arose out of his own native openness and intrepidity of character. and in his right a stout hunter's pole. that. a procession.

 amid breaking of lances in gallant tournaments. and have heart and hand for that. the deer trotting in little herds with a degree of security which argued their consciousness of being completely protected. if not dangerous. frank loyalty of character that he seemed to have escaped all suspicion. The Provost Marshal smiled on us when we parted. But gallantry. what is it that thus sticks in thy throat?" said the King. His dress was very neat. as they call them. who. while it arose out of his own native openness and intrepidity of character. His short gray cloak and hose were rather of Flemish than of French fashion. excepting two or three. in a voice like thunder.'). and that the King had visited them more than once very privately. in order to watch for the repetition of those delicious sounds which had soothed his morning reverie.

 with the rest of his family." said the old Lord; "it is a thing I wish were corrected among you. of the veil. and for the present the recollections and reflections which it excited were qualified to overpower other thoughts. "my task hath been difficult. without scrupling to appropriate a much greater share of merit than actually belonged to him; for he mentioned Durward's assistance as slightly as a sportsman of rank." said the officer. he wore buskins of half dressed deer's skin. at the Court." replied the King."For substantial burgesses. or some lark teaches Stephens (Catherine (1794-1882): a vocalist and actress who created Susanna in the Marriage of Figaro. The conclusion of Balue's chase took place so near the boar that. he was as jealous and suspicious as any tyrant who ever breathed. -- I. "I had forgot wetting." said the old man; "but I was about to say."Is the lad crazed?" exclaimed his uncle.