htning in the

anst report I

f my cannon s

thou the trump

G J

amid the sounding of bugles and the clash of armour, which announced the change of the vigilant guards-some of whom were returning to barracks after their nightly duty, whilst some were marching out to that of the morning-and others, again, amongst whom was his uncle, were arming for immediate attendance upon the person of Louis. Quentin Durward soo

ne of the handsomest and best esquires in the Guard, which cannot but be an honour to thy

ms-the squires each standing behind their masters, to whom they thus formed a second rank. Here were also in attendance many yeomen prickers, with gallant horses and noble dogs, on which Quentin looked with such inquisitive delight that his uncle was obliged more than once to remind him that the animals were not there for his

asion; and, after some minutiae of word and signal, which all served to show the extreme and punctilious jealousy

of the kingdom, none of the high officers of the crown, heard none of the names which in those days sounded an alarum to chivalry; saw none either of those generals or leaders, who, possessed of the full prime of manhood, were the strength of France, or of the more youthful and fiery nobles, those early aspirants after honour, who were her pride. T

wed they were called into a sphere for which their previous education and habits had qualified them but indifferently. One or two persons, however, did appear to Durward

s and the people, Dunois had, upon all occasions, manifested such an open, frank loyalty of character that he seemed to have escaped all suspicion, even on the part of the jealous Louis, who loved to see him near his person, and sometimes even called him to his councils. Although accounted complete in all the exercises of chivalry, and possessed of much of the character of what was then termed a perfect knight, the person of the Count was far from being a model of romantic beauty. He was under the common size, though very strongly built, and his legs rather curved outwards, into that make which is more convenient for horseback, than elegant in a pedestrian. His shoulders were

his Prince, who, failing the King's offspring, was heir to the kingdom, was not suffered to absent himself from Court, and, while residing there, was alike denied employment and countenance. The dejection which his degraded and almost captive state naturally impressed on the deportment of this unfortunate Prince, was at this moment greatly increased by his consc

of extreme dejection with which his natural character was at present obscured. Quentin observed that the Duke studiously avoided even looking at the Royal Guards, and when he returned their salute, that he kep

The Cardinal, accordingly, had not escaped the error incidental to those who are suddenly raised to power from an obscure situation, for he entertained a strong persuasion, dazzled doubtlessly by the suddenness of his elevation, that his capacity was equal to intermeddling with affairs of every kind, even those most foreign to his profession and studies. Tall and ungainly in his person, he affected gallantry and admiration of the fair sex, although his manners rendered his pretensions absurd, and his profession marked them as indecorous. Some male or female flatterer had, in evil hour, possessed him with the idea that there was much beauty of contour in a pair of huge, substantial legs, which he had derived from hi

Chancellor of England, and Cardinal. As legate of the Pope, he gained the ill will of Henry by his failure to secure that king's divorce. He was

Cardinal, "that the Burgundian Envoy i

as I think, comes the all sufficient Oliv

tealthy and quiet pace of a cat, he seemed modestly rather to glide than to walk through the apartment. But though modesty may easily obscure worth, it cannot hide court favour; and all attempts to steal unperceived through the presence chamber were vain, 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, Oliver le Dain, called sometimes Oliver le Mauvais, and sometimes Oliver le Diable, epithets derived from the unscrupulous cunning with which he assisted in the execution of the schemes of his master's tortuous policy. At present he spoke earnestly for a few moments with the Count de Dunois, who instantly left the chamber, while

ery rich, had only the effect of making his sinister countenance and bad mien more strikingly remarkable, and the tone, which he meant for conciliatory, was like nothing so much as the growling of a bear. The import of his words, however, was more amicable than the voice in which they were pro

d away, observed to his nephew that they had now the distinction of havi

class]-a soldier," said he, "who does hi

wounded him. Indeed, even when less strongly moved, the sullen eye of this official expressed a malevolence of purpose which made men shudder to meet his glance; and the thrill

e highest officers making way for him, and loading him with their ceremonious attentions, which his modesty seemed desirous to av

King of France that silk merchant, Maitre Pierre, who had been the companion of his morning walk. Singular suspicions respecting the re

to himself; but not a little was he astonished when the King, whose quick eye had at once discov

to be heated in the morning with Vin de Beaulne. If I can find him, I will make him an example to those who debauch my Guards.-Balafre," he added, speaking to Lesly, "your kinsman is a fair youth, though a fiery

t in the King's quarrel or defence. Quentin, in the meantime, recovered from his first surprise, studied the King's appearance more atte

on that it had been used by a Coptic hermit on Mount Lebanon, a personage of profound sanctity. And instead of his cap with a single image, he now wore a hat, the band of which was garnished with at least a dozen of little paltry figures of saints stamped in lead. But those eyes, which, according to Quentin's former impression, only twinkled with

ed to Peter of Bourbon, and known in French history by the name of the Lady of Beaujeu, our story has but little to do. She was tall, and rather handsome

l that she might be called lame. A fine set of teeth, and eyes which were expressive of melancholy, softness, and resignation, with a quantity of light brown locks, were the only redeeming points which flattery itself could have dared to number, to counteract the general homeliness of her face and figure. To complete the picture, it was easy to remark, from the Princ

ughter-Are you robed for a hunting party, or

sire," said the Princess, scarce r

maiden, wouldst thou have it thought that we, the first born of Holy Church, would refuse our daughter to Heaven?-Our Lady a

ry like a cunning vassal, who was depreciating the merit of something which he was desirous to ke

rward, "and sport with God and the Saints, as he may safel

, I and another know your real mind better. Ha! fair cousin of Orleans, do w

ouis called out, "Nay, cousin, rein your gallantry, and look before you. Why, what a headlong matter a gallant's haste i

r cold, damp fingers enclosed in his trembling hand, with their eyes looking on the ground, it would have been difficult to say which of these two youthful beings was rendered more utterly miserable-the Duke, who felt himself fe

lead forth our daughter of Beaujeu," said the King; "and G

the Comte de Dunois; "the Burgundian Envoy is befor

y,-and that tomorrow was the festival of Saint Martin, which, please Heaven, we would disturb by no earthly thoughts-and that on the succeeding day

" answered Dunois

s in thy throat?" said the King. "This Burgund

id Dunois, "he should have tried to digest them himself; for, by our Lady of Orleans, I ha

ith the like infirmity in our blunt and fiery cousin, Charles of Burgundy. Why, man, I mind his blustering messages no more than

dience which his master has instructed him to demand, upon matters of most pressing concern, he will remain there till midnight, and accost your Majesty at whatever hour you are

s quiet within the walls of his Castle, when he hath the affairs of a kingdom to occupy him? These impatient coxcombs think that all men, like themselves,

if he hath not this audience which he demands, he shall nail his gauntlet to the palisade before the Castle in token

e almost invisible under his shaggy eyebrows, "is it even so? will our ancient vassal prove so masterful-our

France who suffered martyrdom in the third century. Montjoie (mont and joie) may be the name of

resist the same impulse, stirred each upon his post, so as to produce a low but distinct sound of clashin

ance, through the ever open gate of Calais, those arms which had been triumphant in the English civil wars, and to obliterate the recollection of internal dissensions by that most popular of all occupations amongst the English, an invasion of France. To this consideration was added the uncertain faith of the Duke of Bretagne, and other weighty subjects of reflection. So that, after a deep pause, when Louis again spoke, although in the same tone, it was with an

d are the peace makers]"

that they who humble themselves s

as to let the butt end of his partisan fall heavily on the floor-a movement of impatience for which he underwent a bitter reproof from the Cardinal, wi

id. "You disapprove of our givin

t with matters beyond my sphere. I was th

ou are an unfrequent suitor,

d me to Evreux to regulate the clergy,

ond thy sphere," repl

rd Bishop of Evreux, or my Lord Cardinal, if he likes the tit

ulate the priests together.-But this is for the present a good conceited animal of a Bishop. Ah, Dunois! Rome, Rome

r. Gregory of Edinburgh to a counsel of great eminence at the Scottish bar. The Doctor's testimony went to prove the insanity of the party whose mental capacity was the point at issue. On a cross interrogation, he admitted that the person in question played admirably at whist. "And do you seriously say, doctor," said the learned counsel, "that a person having a superi

eman. All in the presence chamber made haste to arrange themselves according to their prop

nto the fantastic taste called the Arabesque. Around his neck and over his polished cuirass, hung his master's order of the Golden Fleece, one of the most honoured associations of chivalry then known in Christendom. A handsome page bore his helmet behind him, a herald preceded him, bearing his letters of

ilip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the year 1429, the King o

e us of your highly deserved credit with your master. We trust that your fair partner, who shares some of our ancestral blood, is in good health. Had you brought her in your hand, Seignior Count, we might h

ion, reply with such humble deference as is due to the royal courtesy with which your Majesty has honoured him. But, although it is only the voi

n assumption of sufficient dignity. "Yet hold-remember, that in this presence

ten schedule of the wrongs and oppressions committed on his frontiers by your Majesty's garrisons and officers;

uital of those sustained by my subjects, some are affirmed without any proof, some have been retaliated by the Duke's garrisons and soldiers; and if there remain any which fall under none of those predi

s it is in no degree different from the evasive replies which have already been returned to his just complaints,

y master's arms, but for the sake of peace only, that I return so temp

will recall the secret agents by whose means the discontents of his good citizens of Flanders are inflamed; and dismiss from your Majesty's dominions, or rather deliver up to the condign puni

he good cities of Flanders, for the purpose of mutual benefit by free traffic, which it would be as much contrary to the Duke's interest as mine to interrupt; and that many Flemings have residence in

back to his dominions without delay, and under a secure safeguard, the persons of Isabelle Countess of Croye, and of her relation and guardian the Countess Hameline, of the same family, in respect the said Countess Isabelle, being, by the law of the country and the feudal tenure of her estates, the ward of the said Duke of Burgundy, hath fled from his dominio

ster's heady passion may have driven from his dominions, the head roll may last till sunset. Who can affirm that these ladies are in my dominions? who can presume to say, if it be so, that I have

the Fleur de Lys, not far from this Castle-one who saw your Majesty in their company, though under the unworthy disguise of a burgess of Tours-one who rece

"place the man before my face who dar

ne of those Bohemian wanderers. He was yesterday-as I have learned-executed by a party of your Majesty's Provost Marshal, to prevent, doubtless, hi

oth at them. My Provost guard daily put to death, as is their duty, thieves and vagabonds; and is my crown to be slandered with whatever these thieves and vagabonds may have said to our hot cousin of

than he had yet permitted himself to make use of; "for the noble Duke uses not to inquire of wi

ere seems to be for the purpose of insult, we will send some one in our name to the Duke of Burgundy-convi

name of the most puissant Lord and Prince, Charles, by the grace of God, Duke of Burgundy and Lotharingia, of Brabant and Limbourg, of Luxembourg and of Gueldres; Earl of Flanders and of Artois; Count Palatine of Hainault, of Holland, Zealand, Namur, and Zutphen; Marquis of the Holy Empire; Lord of Friezeland, Salines, and Malines, do give you, Louis, King of France, openly to know, that you, having

et off his right hand, and flung

ep voice of Toison d'Or, the Burgundian herald, with the ejaculation, "Vive Bourgogne!" than there was a general tumult. While Dunois, Orleans, old Lord Crawford, and one or two others, whose rank author

and on the man, not a finger on the gage!-And you, Sir Count, of what is your life composed, or how is it warranted, that you thus place it on the cast

er to you-to you, I say, King Louis-when you were yet only Dauphin, an exile from France, and pursued by the whole bitterness of your father's revenge, and all the power of his k

ur left the apartment abruptly,

cousin of Orleans, who are too young for them.-My Lord Cardinal-my Lord Bishop of Auxerre-it is your holy office to make peace among princes; do you lift the gauntlet, and remonstrate wit

th such precaution as one would touch an adder-so great was apparently his aversion to

feats of arms, looked pale on each other, and had obviously received an unpleasant impression from the scene which had been just acted. Louis gazed on them with contempt, and then said aloud, "Although the Count of Creveco

id Dunois; "not one of them but would carry a d

my followers, being of meet rank, would not hesitate a moment to call yonder proud Count to a rec

oy us in no service through which we may win hon

ows not how precious every hour of peace is at this moment, when so necessary to heal the wounds of a distracted country; yet there is not one of you who would not rush into war on account of the tale of a wanderin

presumptuous reproach with which his audience had broken up, and which must be understood as proceeding, not from his master,

plied the King; "and

ithout altering his position. 'Had I,' said he, 'been fifty leagues distant, and had heard by report that a question vituperative of my Prince had been

"that in the Count Philip of Crevecoeur, our cousin the Duke possesses as worthy a

le to receive again his gage of defiance," said th

d, may be worth a year in the hand of indolent or incapable agents.-Well-to the forest-to the forest, my gallant lords!-Orleans, my fair kinsman, lay aside that modesty, though it becomes you; mind not my Joan's coyness. The Loire may as soon avoid mingling with the Cher, as she from favouring your suit, or you from preferring it," he a

the chas