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RUITING

his martial countrymen, rode at a round pace towards the Castle of Plessis, about to become, although on his own part invo

the accident which had that morning brought him into so much danger. Although he himself saw nothing

t, in the devil's name, could lead the senseless boy to meddl

a pretty wench, as Michael of Moffat did, the

-torques and turbands, as they call them," said Lindesay. "If they have not eyes to see the difference they must be taught by rule of

uentin, "what sort of people

nswer you. Not I, I am sure, although I know, it may be, as much as other people; but

ou will learn our way of talk in time)-honest Jacques, I say, cares little what wind eith

much evil?" ask

nd neither worship Our Lady, nor the Saints" (crossing himself) "and steal

wenches amongst these," said Guthr

unningham. "I trust ye

id ye none," an

h as that I, a Scottish gentleman, and living within pale of holy c

e did but jest. We will have

said Cunningham, murmuring, as if h

ds in other lands than

ermany, and in Spain, and in England," answered Balafre. "By th

oo cold, a country for locusts, an

l suffer no thieves to thrive t

the Braes of Angus, and have gentle Highland kin in Gl

at they are cattle li

is no thievery," said Balafre, "and that

nstruction-Come, here we are at the Chateau. I will bestow a runlet of wine to have a rouse in friend

nother to wash away unkindness, and to drink a heal

pikes, and commanded him to stand, while bows were bent, and harquebusses aimed at him from the walls, a rigour of vigilance used, notwithstandin

essary explanations, and, after some considerable hesitation and delay, th

of the last of those associates of Scottish chivalry who had so willingly drawn their swords for the fleur de lys, against their "auld enemies of England." Changes which had taken place in the Scottish kingdom, and perhaps his having become habituated to French climate and manners, had induced the old Baron to resign all thoughts of returning to his native country, the rather that the

He was created Duke of Touraine

ert II. He entered the service of Charles VII i

o were besieging Orleans. In person she led the French troops from victory to victory until she saw the Dauphin crowned as Char

by whose dignified appearance, as well as with the respect paid to him by these proud s

ched battles, but which nevertheless expressed a calm contempt of danger, rather than the ferocious courage of a mercenary soldier. His tall, erect figure was at present wrapped in a loose chamber gown, secured around him by his buff belt, in which was suspended his richly hilted poniard. He had round his neck the collar and badge of the order of Saint Michael [a patron saint of France. In 1469, a military o

trance of these unexpected visitors, and demanded, in his broad

ly requested his Lordship's protection. Lord Crawford listened very attentively. He could not but smile at the simplicity with which the youth had interfered in

cerned in robbing... a fishmonger of a large sum of money. They were accordingly apprehended by Philip du Four, Provost, with some of his followers. But ere th

you would not have the whole dogs of the town at your heels? However, if you must have a bargain [a quarrel, videlicet. S.], I would rather it were with that loon of a Provost than any one else; and I blame you less for this onslaught than for other frays that you have made, Lu

your Lordship

s uncle. "Would you speak to his

rd Crawford, "and let us hea

e doubts about entering this service. I have now to say that they are entirely removed, since I have s

onourable corps of Scottish Bodyguards, as esquire to your uncle, and serving under his lance. I trust you will do well, for you should be a right man at arms, if all be good that is upcome [that is, if your cour

akes cowards of us all. I myself feel a sort of decay o

nued Lord Crawford, "that the old banner

eeper this evening to tha

ear me, Ludovic, you will drink a bitter browst [as much li

ont for many a day; but that his Lordship knew the use of t

assist your carouse; but let it be over by sunset. And, hark ye-let the soldiers for duty h

ly obeyed," said Ludovic, "and

look in myself upon your mirth-just

ed in high spirits to prepare for their military banquet, to which Lesly invited about

t to procure some better wine than ordinary; observing that the old Lord was the surest gear in their aught, and that, while he preached sobriety to them, he himse

e battles of Vernoil and Beauge [in both these battles the Scottish auxili

to collect green rushes to spread upon the floor; and banners, under which the Scottish Guard had marched to battle, or which

ppear in every respect the sharer of its important privileges, in virtue of which, and by the support of his countrymen, he might freely

uit from their beloved fatherland. Old Scottish songs were sung, old tales of Scottish heroes told-the achievements of their fathers, and the scenes in which

opportunity occurred of making his escape to the revelry of his own countrymen. A chair of state had been reserved for him at the upper end of the table; for, according to the manners of the age and the constitution of that body, although their leader and commander under the King a

ared for him, and bidding them "hold themselves merry," stood looki

atter offered the wine to their noble captain, "let him alo

, and in doing so, fortunately recollected that it would be ill luck did he not drink a draught to the health of the gallant lad who had joined them this day. The pledge was filled, and

e in obtaining from the King an order, commanding the Provost to suspend all proceedings, under whatever

to come up beside him, and assailed him with many more questions concerning the state of Scotland, and the great families there, than he was well able to answer, while ever and anon, in the course of his queries, the good Lord kissed the wine cup by way of parenthesis, remarking that sociality became Scottish gentlemen, but that young men, like Quentin, ought to practise it cautiously, lest it might

urgundy to fan it!

t I may see it flutter yet. Hark ye, my mates," (for wine had made him something communicative), "ye are all true servants to the Fr

said another of the guests, "down at the inn yonder at the Mulb

cious answer!" said Guthrie; "

hath received under his protection a lady of his land, a young Countess, who hath fled from

come hither alone, my

ld Countess, her kinswoman, who hath yield

nterfere between the Duke and his ward, over whom Charles hath the same right,

s, nor placed them under the protection of his daughters, the Lady of Beaujeu, or the Princess Joan, so, doubtless, he will be guided by circ

y understands no such do

"and, therefore, it is like

y years since, that I was to make the fortune of my house by marriage. Who knows what may h

with such a trench in t

love a Bohemian woman of Heat

. And for the lady, she is too wealthy to fall to a poor Scottish lord, or I would put in my own claim, fourscore y

rning at the inner barrier; but she was more like a dark lantern than a l

s," he added after a pause, his own curiosity prevailing over the show of discipline which he had thoug

with Doguin the muleteer, who brought back the litters to the inn, for they belong to the fellow of the Mulberry Grove yonder-he of the Fleur

perilous in war, and must be amended. But, Andrew Arnot, this is a long tale of yours, and we will cut it with a drink; as the Highlander says, Skeoch doch nan skial ['Cut a tale with a drink;' an expression used when a man preaches over his liquor,

e great ladies, who had been living in secret at his house for some days, and that the King had visited them more than once very privately, and had done them great honour; and tha

r court-the sound came from the bay windows of the Dauphin's Tower; and such melody was there as no one ever heard before in the Castle of Plessis of the Park. By my fa

elusina, half serpent, half woman, was discovered swimming in a bath. For this breach of faith on the part of her husband, Melusina was compelled to leave her home. She regularly return

c, and thy short discretion not enabling thee to decide which of them thou didst prefer.-Hark! is that not the Cathedr

hour," said Cunningham; "yonder the sun is

s.-Fair and soft goes far-slow fire makes sweet malt-to be merry and wise is a sound

t his own lofty pace should seem in the public eye less steady than became his rank and high command. A serious countenance did he bear as he passed through the two courts which separated his lodging f

Maiden of the Turret, to whose lay he had listened with so much interest, and the fair cup bearer of Maitre Pierre, with a fugitive Countess of rank and wealth, flying from the pursuit of a hated lover, the favourite of an oppressive guardian, who abused his feudal power. There was an interlude in Quentin's vision concerning Maitre Pierre, who seemed to exercise such authority even over the formidable officer from