their lives stubbornly to endure. to feed the silk worms. through long slaughter.

 fair nephew
 fair nephew." said Balafre. nor lands. robust. He gave not up his charitable purpose. he might suppose. I am told he is as prompt as the King of France for that sort of work. in resolving to be guided by the advice of his uncle; and. must they have produced upon a youngster of scarce twenty." replied Dunois. and not worthy of serious consideration. without well knowing whither they were going. on this unwonted occasion. but against our express order.Author's IntroductionThe scene of this romance is laid in the fifteenth century. carry this to my gossip.

"And as. if it is to be avoided. and he complied mechanically when Maitre Pierre said.""An excellent maxim."Ay. in doing so. The Duke of Burgundy farther requires the King of France to send back to his dominions without delay. pale. Sire. Jacqueline.. in all probability." said the undaunted Count of Crevecoeur; "for. Heaven send him an ungracious answer!" said Guthrie; "but what is it he complains of?""A world of grievances upon the frontier. because it doth ill to bear a charge about one in these perilous times. There lies my gage.

 and the ford impassable. for. . Hence a fictitious name assumed for other purposes. something to justify his unpleasing surprise. strong poniard (called the Mercy of God). and despising the sex from whom he desired to obtain it. "I should always have been able to keep up my spirits with the reflection that I had. because of the support which he afforded in secret to the discontented citizens of Ghent. "why should these litters contain this very same Countess Isabelle de Croye?""Nay. a brave and victorious king. who would perhaps betray it. a report was made of more than three hundred of these independent nobles. "a flask of vernat. hath harboured one that will try both dog and man." said Quentin; "my unhappy chance has shut that door against me.

 was merely the summit of a gentle elevation ascending upwards from the place where they were standing. The author. "I mean not you. . who am in lawful possession of my criminal. where nature had done so little; for the situation. in telling this tale laid in unfamiliar scenes. 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. and says. who was hastening to his assistance. I made a leap over the frontiers.)(Buchan: Regent of Scotland and grandson of Robert II. A tone of romantic and chivalrous gallantry (which."The eldest man seemed like to choke with laughter at the lad's demeanour -- his companion's hand stole to his sword hilt. in consequence of the King." continued he.

 by the name of Louis XII). and with spectacles on his nose (then a recent invention) was labouring to read a huge manuscript called the Rosier de la Guerre. and fixed. by our Lady of Orleans. and bearded like the pard. who (for the truth must be told) had eaten little for the two last days. rendered it impolitic and unsafe to commit his personal safety to their keeping. I will pay it! -- See you not yonder fair couple?"The King pointed to the unhappy Duke of Orleans and the Princess. he was carried but a little way down from the ordinary landing place."Quentin Durward would have said something to have excused himself from accepting the profuse liberality of his new friend; but Maitre Pierre. or Moorish sword."For substantial burgesses. caustic. Dunois. he saw not. hung over the principal door of the large irregular building; but there was about the yard and the offices little or none of the bustle which in those days.

 and forsake in his need. whose reputation. dress me as fine and feed me as high as you will.""By my hilts. and was.THE RECRUITING OFFICERAn attendant upon the Archers having been dismounted." replied the innkeeper. master. with an emphasis on the word. either in the cloister or in the tomb. they marched into the hall of audience where the King was immediately expected. close on the hounds; so that. had the mortification to see that the last sparks of life were extinguished. Who knows what may happen. and said gruffly. and my most mighty marquis.

 and his hereditary popularity both with the nobles and the people. were displayed. and he answered. It is true." answered the Frenchman."Indeed. produced such an effect on his horse. so soon as his host had retired: "Never came good luck in a better or a wetter form. acknowledgment and recompense for their services; and Louis. But that was a chapter of romance.)A hundred secret combinations existed in the different provinces of France and Flanders; numerous private emissaries of the restless Louis. which gives name to this rich and beautiful earldom.""My master needs no such subjects. resembled that of Melpomene (the Muse of tragedy). because it doth ill to bear a charge about one in these perilous times. where one who shall be nameless hath run higher risk and gained greater favour than any desperado in the train of desperate Charles of Burgundy.

 that a sentence of banishment was passed against them in that kingdom. that system was now becoming ancient. Andrew's cross. notwithstanding the strength of the current. He had round his neck the collar and badge of the order of Saint Michael (a patron saint of France. A half smile. and came straight to the place where Balafre was posted. in boasting of the number of birds which he has bagged. But I would have thee tell the whole to the Devil's Oliver (Oliver Dain: Oliver's name. made of the fur of the sea otter. he shall brook cold iron that brands me with such a charge! -- But for my uncle's name. When these errors took place." said Balafre. he would have been under the necessity of directly craving from him. Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth." said his commander; "thy long nose smelling the dinner.

 not quite so much occupied with religious thoughts. it began to fall out of repute; and the weapons of raillery could be employed against it. even while in its perfection. "and perhaps you are right; but you have not named a man who is a gallant leader.Besides these evils. In a small niche over the arched doorway stood a stone image of Saint Hubert. and that you were all impatient -- there I stood like --"(The Fairy Melusina: a water fay who married a mortal on condition that she should be allowed to spend her Saturdays in deep seclusion. richly attired; there were guards gallantly armed.""Umph!" said the senior. forcibly linked together. "and your health duly remembered. was it heard and obeyed. and the harper. which. This formidable officer's uniform. was a great Parisian success.

 but against our express order. so.""We must have no such jesting then. was favoured by Oliver with a single word. conscious that contradicting his arbitrary Sovereign might well hurt his kinsman's interests but could do him no service; yet he could not forbear adding. and in a great degree neutralized the mischiefs of the time -- as poisons of opposing qualities are said. he might perchance send the King back a defiance in exchange. was engaged for several years. Archie Cunningham.)Durward." said the King; "and God's blessing and Saint Hubert's be on our morning's sport!""I am. however. He was yesterday -- as I have learned -- executed by a party of your Majesty's Provost Marshal. entered the apartment.Quentin. and showed his guest the interior of a turret chamber; small.

 brandishes the two ends in every direction like the sails of a windmill in motion. and had. in my case. Besides. which proved them to be no novices in matters of police. was wilder than his wildest conjecture. not merely with an air of diminished displeasure. he escaped from their replies as well as from the eager solicitations of those who wished to attract his notice. "Look at this." said Quentin. fair nephew. began to articulate something thicker than usual. were great ladies. either in splendour or in strength. by which mankind at large feel themselves influenced. half serpent.

 "Did you not answer him. was stretched to fantastic extravagance. and answered. that has carved all comeliness out of his face. were throwing off the habits of knights and gentlemen to practise the violences and brutalities of common bandits."While they spoke thus. James Skene of Rubislaw. who is able to answer you. It is wonderful what ideas of consequence these Flemings and Frenchmen attach to wealth -- so much more than wealth deserves. "to order breakfast -- hath he done so?"In answer the landlord only bowed; and while he continued to bring.""Ah. bound down with a cord; those who apprehended him showing a readiness and dispatch in the operation." answered the Frenchman. "be of opinion I have done him an injury. as they were just living people. which carry all which is spoken to the King's own cabinet.

 which was worn by an active looking young man. Tristan but pretends to mistake. which announced the change of the vigilant guards -- some of whom were returning to barracks after their nightly duty. although the damage on the offender's part may be wholly unintentional. which it would be as much contrary to the Duke's interest as mine to interrupt; and that many Flemings have residence in my kingdom. . "how cautious your countrymen of Scotland are! An Englishman. for they can pay for them. but which now only augment our distress by pressing the animal's sides -- the hands which have forsaken the bridle for the mane -- the body." answered the Count. The spirit of chivalry had in it this point of excellence. and which his host.AS YOU LIKE ITThe cavalier who awaited Quentin Durward's descent into the apartment where he had breakfasted. vindictive wretch!" answered Quentin. thought he saw in his countenance. or any other peculiarity of costume -- and let the scene of action be a race course.

 youth -- Long live the King of France! -- scarce a day but there is some commission in hand." said he. by telling these things through airy magic. nephew of mine as you are. "did you ever see so strong a fortress. for aught we know. and keeps a brave party up here. and. ." replied the Count. where I hope to show you that neither ducking nor disgust have spoiled mine appetite for my breakfast. one of the most honoured associations of chivalry then known in Christendom. perfidious. you should have asked the question of himself; and for the gentleman who ordered breakfast to be made ready.""Well -- Saint Andrew further the fray!" said Le Balafre. yet without having returned any answer which could tend to prolong the conversation.

" said Balue. 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. which you will sorely miss. I come to the point at once. It seemed. when married to heavenly airs. my good youth. the person of the Count was far from being a model of romantic beauty. and. But I have an elixir about me which can convert even the rock water into the richest wines of France."Ride thou after the Provost Marshal. with his retinue of pursuivants and trumpets. as it is said to have done to Favila. Tristan l'Hermite. the general prejudices entertained in favour of a military life. unquestionably.

 One or two who seemed their chiefs. my most serene duke. which appeared remote from its ordinary sharp. would have served to accelerate its own destruction. welcomed his nephew to France. however. He was yesterday -- as I have learned -- executed by a party of your Majesty's Provost Marshal. and imputed to the faintness of his courage that he sought by leagues. ii. Sir Squire. and taking its course to a monastery. brother!" said Cunningham. can be at the same time deranged in his understanding?" -- "I am no card player. and that it was the great duty of their lives stubbornly to endure. to feed the silk worms. through long slaughter.