QUENTIN DURWARD.

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before to communicate with Louis by means of Mar- | bosom; "my hope, trust, and expectation is, that the thon; but she could not, it seems, approach nearer mysterious frame of humanity shall melt into the to him than the astrologer, to whom she told all the general mass of nature, to be recompounded in the passages of the journey, and of Schonwaldt; but it is other forms with which she daily supplies those which a chance if her tidings ever reach Louis, except in the daily disappear, and return under different forms,shape of a prophecy. But hear my secret, which is the watery particles to streams and showers, the more important than aught she could tell. William earthly parts to enrich their mother earth, the airy de la Marck has assembled a numerous and strong portions to wanton in the breeze, and those of fire to force within the city of Liege, and augments it daily supply the blaze of Aldeboran and his brethren-In by means of the old priest's treasures. But he propo- this faith have I lived, and I will die in it!-Hence! ses not to hazard a battle with the chivalry of Bur- begone!-disturb me no farther! I have spoken the gundy, and still less to stand a siege in the dismantled last word that mortal ears shall listen to!" town. This he will do-he will suffer the hot-brained Charles to sit down before the place without opposi- Quentin Durward yet saw that it was vain to hope Deeply impressed with the horrors of his condition, tion; and in the night, make an outfall or sally upon to awaken him to a sense of his fearful state. He bid the leaguer with his whole force. Many he will have him, therefore, farewell; to which the criminal only in French armour, who will cry France, Saint Louis, replied by a short and sullen nod, as one who, plunand Denis Montjoye, as if there were a strong body ged in reverie, bids adieu to company which distracts of French auxiliaries in the city. This cannot choose his thoughts. He bent his course towards the forest, but strike utter confusion among the Burgundians; and easily found where Klepper was feeding. The and if King Louis, with his guards, attendants, and creature came at his call, but was for some time unsuch soldiers as he may have with him, shall second willing to be caught, snuffing and starting when the his efforts, the Boar of Ardennes nothing doubts the stranger approached him. discomfiture of the whole Burgundian army.-There Quentin's general acquaintance with the habits of the is my secret, and I bequeath it to you. Forward, or animal, and perhaps some particular knowledge of At length, however, prevent the enterprise-sell the intelligence to King those of Klepper, which he had often admired while Louis, or to Duke Charles, I care not-save or destroy Hayraddin and he travelled together, enabled him to whom thou wilt; for my part, I only grieve that I take possession of the Bohemian's dying bequest. cannot spring it like a mine, to the destruction of Long ere he returned to Peronne, the Bohemian had them all!" put to the final issue-a fearful experience for one who gone where the vanity of his dreadful creed was to be had neither expressed remorse for the past, nor apprehension for the future!

"It is indeed an important secret," said Quentin, instantly comprehending how easily the national jealousy might be awakened in a camp consisting partly of French, partly of Burgundians.

"Ay, so it is," answered Hayraddin; "and, now you have it, you would fain be gone, and leave me CHAPTER XXXV. without granting the boon for which I have paid beforehand."

Tell me thy request," said Quentin-"I will grant it if it be in my power.'

Nay, it is no mighty demand-it is only in behalf of poor Klepper, my palfrey, the only living thing that may miss me.-A due mile south, you will find him feeding by a deserted collier's hut; whistle to him thus," (he whistled a peculiar note,) "and call him by his name, Klepper, he will come to you; here is his bridle under my gaberdine-it is lucky the hounds got it not, for he obeys no other. Take him, and make much of him-I do not say for his master's sake, but because I have placed at your disposal the event of a mighty war. He will never fail you at need-night and day, rough and smooth, fair and foul, warm stables and the winter sky, are the same to Klepper; had I cleared the gates of Peronne, and got so far as where I left him, I had not been in this case. -Will you be kind to Klepper?"

"I swear to you that I will," answered Quentin, affected by what seemed a trait of tenderness in a character so hardened.

"Then fare thee well!" said the criminal-"Yet stay-stay-I would not willingly die in discourtesy, forgetting a lady's commission. This billet is from the very gracious and extremely silly Lady of the Wild Boar of Ardennes, to her black-eyed niece-I see by your look I have chosen a willing messenger. -And one word more-I forgot to say, that in the stuffing of my saddle you will find a rich purse of gold pieces, for the sake of which I put my life on the venture which has cost me so dear. Take them, and replace a hundred-fold the gilders you have bestowed on these bloody slaves-I make you mine heir.'

"I will bestow them in good works, and masses for the benefit of thy soul," said Quentin.

'Name not that word again," said Hayraddin, his countenance assuming a dreadful expression; "there s-there can be there shall be-no such thing!-it is a dream of priestcraft!"

"Unhappy-most unhappy being! Think better!let me speed for a priest-these men will delay yet a little longer-I will bribe them to it," said Quentin "What canst thou expect, dying in such opinions, and impenitent?"

"To be resolved into the elements," said the hardened atheist, pressing his fettered arms against his

willing to relax any stipulation which he had made | enough to compel the Duke's attention, which, from in resentment, or revenge, of a supposed injury.

such a dishonour to the nobility and chivalry of Burgundy. If the Countess hath done amiss, let her be punished-but in the manner that becomes her rank, and ours, who stand connected with her house by blood and alliance."

The Duke paused a moment, and looked full at his counsellor with the stare of a bull, which, when compelled by the neat-herd from the road which he wishes to go, deliberates with himself whether to obey, or to rush on his driver, and toss him into the air.

Prudence, however, prevailed over fury-he saw the sentiment was general in his council-was afraid of the advantages which Louis might derive from seeing dissension among his vassals; and probably for he was rather of a coarse and violent, than of a malignant temper-felt ashamed of his own dishonourable proposal.

"You are right," he said, "Crèveccœur, and I spoke hastily. Her fate shall be determined according to the rules of chivalry. Her flight to Liege hath given the signal for the Bishop's murder. He that best avenges that deed, and brings us the head of the Wild Boar of Ardennes, shall claim her hand of us; and if she denies his right, we can at least grant him her fiefs, leaving it to his generosity to allow her what means he will to retire into a convent.

"Nay!" said the Countess, "think I am the daughter of Count Reinold-of your father's old, valiant, and faithful servant. Would you hold me out as a prize to the best sword-player?"

"Your ancestress," said the Duke, was won at a tourney-you shall be fought for in real melée. Only thus far, for Count Reinold's sake, the successful prizer shall be a gentleman, of unimpeached birth, and unstained bearings; but, be he such, and the poorest who ever drew the strap of a sword-belt through the tongue of a buckle, he shall have at least the proffer of your hand. I swear it, by St. George, by my ducal crown, and by the Order that I wear!Ha! Messires," he added, turning to the nobles present, this at least is, I think, in conformity with the rules of chivalry?"

woman is in the case, the greatest fool is ever the first in favour."

While the princes and their nobles thus jested over her fate, the Abbess and the Countess of Crèvecœur endeavoured in vain to console Isabelle, who had withdrawn with them from the council-presence. The former assured her, that the Holy Virgin would frown on every attempt to withdraw a true votaress from the shrine of Saint Ursula; while the Countess of Crèvecœur whispered more temporal consolation, that no true knight, who might succeed in the emprize proposed, would avail himself, against her inclinations, of the Duke's award; and that perhaps the successful competitor might prove one who should find such favour in her eyes as to reconcile her to obedience. Love, like despair, catches at straws; and, faint and vague as was the hope which this insinuation conveyed, the tears of the Countess Isabelle flowed more placidly while she dwelt upon it.*

CHAPTER XXXVI.

THE SALLY.

The wretch condemn'd with life to part,
Still, still on hope relies,

And every pang that rends the heart
Bids expectation rise.

Hope, like the glimmering taper's light,
Adorns and cheers the way;

And still the darker grows the night,

Emits a brighter ray.-GOLDSMITH.

FEw days had passed ere Louis had received, with a smile of gratified vengeance, the intelligence, that his favourite and his counsellor, the Cardinal Balue, was groaning within a cage of iron, so disposed as scarce to permit him to enjoy repose in any posture except when recumbent; and of which, be it said in passing, he remained the unpitied tenant for nearly twelve years. The auxiliary forces which the Duke had required Louis to bring up had also appeared; and he comforted himself that their numbers were sufficient to protect his person against vioIsabelle's remonstrances were drowned in a gene-lence, although too limited to cope, had such been ral and jubilant assent, above which was heard the voice of old Lord Crawford, regretting the weight of years that prevented his striking for so fair a prize. The Duke was gratified by the general applause, and his temper began to flow more smoothly, like that of a swollen river when it hath subsided within its natural boundaries.

his purpose, with the large army of Burgundy. He saw himself also at liberty, when time should suit, to resume his project of marriage between his daughter and the Duke of Orleans; and, although he was sensible to the indignity of serving with his noblest peers under the banners of his own vassal, and against the people whose cause he had abetted, he did not allow these Are we, to whom fate has given dames already," circumstances to embarrass him in the meantime, said Crèvecœur, "to be bystanders at this fair game? trusting that a future day would bring him amends. It does not consist with my honour to be so, for I-"For chance," said he to his trusty Oliver, have myself a vow to be paid at the expense of that indeed gain one hit, but it is patience and wisdom tusked and bristled brute, De la Marck." which win the game at last."

"Strike boldly in, Crevecoeur," said the Duke; "win her, and since thou canst not wear her thyself, bestow her where thou wilt-on Count Stephen, your nephew, if you list."

may

With such sentiments, upon a beautiful day in the latter end of harvest, the King mounted his horse; and, indifferent that he was looked upon rather as a part of the pageant of a victor, than in the light of an "Gramercy, my lord!" said Crèvecœur, "I will do independent Sovereign surrounded by his guards and my best in the battle; and, should I be fortunate his chivalry, King Louis sallied from under the enough to be foremost, Stephen shall try his elo-Gothic gateway of Peronne, to join the Burgundian quence against that of the Lady Abbess."

"I trust," said Dunois, "that the chivalry of France are not excluded from this fair contest ?"

66

Heaven forbid! brave Dunois," answered the Duke, were it but for the sake of seeing you do your uttermost. But," he added, though there be no fault in the Lady Isabelle wedding a Frenchman, it will be necessary that the Count of Croye must become a subject of Burgundy."

66

army, which commenced at the same time its march against Liege.

Most of the ladies of distinction who were in the place, attended, dressed in their best array, upon the battlements and defences of the gate, to see the ga.lant show of the warriors setting forth on the expedition. Thither had the Countess Crèvecœur brought the Countess Isabelle. The latter attended very reluctantly; but the peremptory order of Charles had been, that she who was to bestow the palm in the tourney, should be visible to the knights who were about to enter the lists.

'Enough, enough," said Dunois, "my bar sinister may never be surmounted by the coronet of Croye I will live and die French. But yet, though I should lose the lands, I will strike a blow for the lady." As they thronged out from under the arch, many a Le Balafré dared not speak aloud in such a pre-pennon and shield was to be seen, graced with fresh sence, but he muttered to himself devices, expressive of the bearer's devoted resolution "Now, Saunders Souplejuaw, hold thine own!-to become a competitor for a prize so fair. Here a thou always saidst the fortune of our house was to be won by marriage, and never had you such a chance to keep your word with us."

แ

**No one thinks of me," said Le Glorieux, "who am sure to carry off the prize from all of you.' Right, my sapient friend," said Louis; "when a

charger was painted starting for the goal,-there an arrow aimed at a mark,-one knight bore a bleeding

*The perilling the hand of an heiress upon the event of a battle, was not so likely to take place in the fourteenth century, as when the laws of chivalry were in more general observance. Yet it was not unlikely to occur to so absolute a Prince as Duke

Charles, in circumstances like those supposed.

"So far from being capable of such folly," said Isabelle, "I am doubly desirous of vengeance on the murderers of the excellent Bishop, because it will, at the same time, free my aunt from the villain's power." "Ah! there indeed spoke the voice of Croye!" exclaimed the Count; and no more was said concerning the letter.

heart, indicative of his passion,-another a skull, and | pretty cousin impatient to join her aunt in this fool's a coronet of laurels, showing his determination to paradise, and marry the Boar-Pig." win or die. Many others there were; and some so cunningly intricate and obscure, that they might have defied the most ingenious interpreter. Each knight, too, it may be presumed, put his courser to his mettle, and assumed his most gallant seat in the saddle, as he passed for a moment under the view of the fair bevy of dames and damsels, who encouraged their valour by their smiles, and the waving of kerchiefs and of veils. The Archer-guard, selected almost at will from the flower of the Scottish nation, drew general applause, from the gallantry and splendour of their appearance.

And there was one among these strangers, who ventured on a demonstration of acquaintance with the lady Isabelle, which had not been attempted even by the most noble of the French nobility. It was Quentin Durward, who, as he passed the ladies in his rank, presented to the Countess of Croye, on the point of his lance, the letter of her aunt.

Now, by my honour," said the Count of Crèvecœur, that is over insolent in an unworthy adventurer!"

Do not call him so, Crèveçœur," said Dunois; "I have good reason to bear testimony to his gallantry -and in behalf of that lady, too."

"You make words of nothing," said Isabelle, blushing with shame, and partly with resentment; "it is a letter from my unfortunate aunt-She writes cheerfully, though her situation must be dreadful.' "Let us hear, let us hear what says the Boar's bride," said Crèvecœur.

But while Isabelle read her aunt's epistle to her friends, it must be observed that she did not think it necessary to recite a certain postscript, in which the Countess Hameline, lady-like, gave an account of her occupations, and informed her niece, that she had laid aside for the present a surcoat which she was working for her husband, bearing the arms of Croye and La Marck in conjugal fashion, parted per pale, because her William had determined, for purposes of policy, in the first action to have others dressed in his coat-armour, and himself to assume the arms of Orleans, with a bar sinister-in other words, those of Dunois. There was also a slip of paper in another hand, the contents of which the Countess did not think it necessary to mention, being simply these words-"If you hear not of me soon, and that by the trumpet of Fame, conclude me dead, but not unworthy."

A thought, hitherto repelled as wildly incredible, now glanced with double keenness through Isabelle's soul. As female wit seldom fails in the contrivance of means, she so ordered it, that ere the troops were fully on march, Quentin Durward received from an unknown hand the billet of Lady Hameline, marked with three crosses opposite to the postscript, and having these words subjoined :-" He who feared not the arms of Orleans when on the breast of their gallant owner, cannot dread them when displayed on that of a tyrant and murderer." A thousand thousand times was this intimation kissed and pressed to the bosom of the young Scot! for it marshalled him on the path where both Honour and Love held ont the reward, and possessed him with a secret unknown to others, by which to distinguish him whose death could alone give life to his hopes, and which he prudently resolved to lock up in his own bosom.

The Countess Isabelle read the letter, in which her aunt seemed determined to make the best of a bad bargain, and to console herself for the haste and indecorum of her nuptials, by the happiness of being wedded to one of the bravest men of the age, who had just acquired a princedom by his valour. She implored her niece not to judge of her William (as she called him) by the report of others, but to wait till she knew him personally. He had his faults, perhaps, but they were such as belonged to characters whom she had ever venerated. William was rather addicted to wine, but so was the gallant Sir Godfrey, her grandsire; he was something hasty But Durward saw the necessity of acting otherwise and sanguinary in his temper, such had been her bro- respecting the information communicated by Hayther, Reinold of blessed memory;-he was blunt in raddin, since the proposed sally of De la Marck, unspeech, few Germans were otherwise; and a little less heedfully guarded against, might prove the dewilful and peremptory, but she believed all men loved struction of the besieging army; so difficult was it, to rule. More there was to the same purpose; and in the tumultuous warfare of those days, to recover the whole concluded with the hope and request, that from a nocturnal surprise. After pondering on the Isabelle would, by means of the bearer, endeavour her matter, he formed the additional resolution, that he escape from the tyrant of Burgundy, and come to her would not communicate the intelligence save perloving kinswoman's Court of Liege, where any little dif- sonally, and to both the Princes while together; perferences concerning their mutual rights of succession haps, because he felt that to mention so well-contrivto the Earldom might be adjusted by Isabelle's marry-ed and hopeful a scheme to Louis whilst in private, ing Earl Eberson-a bridegroom younger indeed than might be too strong a temptation to the wavering his bride, but that, as she (the Lady Hameline) night probity of that Monarch, and lead him to assist, rather perhaps say from experience, was an inequality more than repel the intended sally. He determined, thereeasy to be endured than Isabelle could be aware of. fore, to watch for an opportunity of revealing the secret Here the Countess Isabelle stopped; the Abbess whilst Louis and Charles were met, which, as they observing, with a prim aspect, that she had read quite were not particularly fond of the constraint imposed enough concerning such worldly vanities, and the by each other's society, was not likely soon to occur. Count of Crevecoeur breaking out, 66 Aroint thee, deceitful witch!-Why, this device smells rank as the toasted cheese in a rat-trap-Now fie, and double fie, upon the old decoy-duck!"

*

The Countess of Crèvecœur gravely rebuked her husband for his violence-"The Lady Hameline,' she said, "must have been deceived by De la Marck with a show of courtesy."

Meanwhile the march continued, and the confederates soon entered the territories of Liege. Here the Burgundian soldiers, at least a part of them, composed of those bands who had acquired the title of Ecorcheurs, or flayers, showed by the usage which they gave the inhabitants, under pretext of avenging the Bishop's death, that they well deserved that honourable title; while their conduct greatly prejudiced "He show courtesy!" said the Count-"I acquit the cause of Charles, the aggrieved inhabitants, who him of all such dissimulation. You may as well ex- might otherwise have been passive in the quarrel, aspect courtesy from a literal wild boar-you may assuming arms in self-defence, harassing his march, well try to lay leaf-gold on old rusty gibbet-irons. No-idiot as she is, she is not quite goose enough to fall in love with the fox who has snapped her, and that in his very den. But you women are all alike -fair words carry it-and, I dare say, here is my *It is almost unnecessary to add, that the marriage of Wil liam de la Marck with the Lady Hameline, is as apocryphal as the lady herself. The real bride of the Wild Boar of Ardennes was Joan D'Arschel, Baroness of Scoonhoven.

by cutting off small parties, and falling back before the main body upon the city itself, thus augmenting the numbers and desperation of those who had resolved to defend it. The French, few in number, and those the choice soldiers of the country, kept, accordstandards, and observed the strictest discipline; a ing to the King's orders, close by their respective contrast which increased the suspicions of Charles, who could not help remarking that the troops of

Louis demeaned themselves as if they were rather friends to the Liegeois, than allies of Burgundy.

At length, without experiencing any serious opposition, the army arrived in the rich valley of the Maes, and before the large and populous city of Liege. The Castle of Schonwaldt they found had been totally destroyed, and learned that William de la Marck, whose only talents were of a military cast, had withdrawn his whole forces into the city, and was determined to avoid the encounter of the chivalry of France and Burgundy in the open field. But the invaders were not long of experiencing the danger which must always exist in attacking a large town, however open, if the inhabitants are disposed to defend it desperately. A part of the Burgundian vanguard, conceiving that, from the dismantled and breached state of the walls, they had nothing to do but to march into Liege at their ease, entered one of the suburbs with the shouts of "Burgundy, Burgundy! Kill, kill—all is ours-Remember Louis of Bourbon!" But as they marched in disorder through the narrow streets, and were partly dispersed for the purpose of pillage, a large body of the inhabitants issued suddenly from the town, fell furiously upon them, and made considerable slaughter. De la Marck even availed himself of the breaches in the walls, which permitted the defenders to issue out at different points, and, by taking separate routes into the contested suburb, to attack, in the front, flank, and rear, at once, the assailants, who, stunned by the furious, unexpected, and multiplied nature of the resistance offered, could hardly stand to their arms. The evening, which began to close, added to their confusion.

tion where he could individually find it; while the wearied and wounded, who had been engaged in the battle, were calling in vain for shelter and refreshment; and while those who knew nothing of the disaster, were pressing on to have their share in the sack of the place, which they had no doubt was proceeding merrily.

When D'Hymbercourt returned, he had a task to perform of incredible difficulty, and embittered by the reproaches of his master, who made no allowance for the still more necessary duty in which he had been engaged, until the temper of the gallant soldier began to give way under the Duke's unreasonable reproaches.-"I went hence to restore some order in the van,' he said, " and left the main body under your Grace's own guidance; and now, on my return, I can neither find that we have front, flank, nor rear, so utter is the confusion."

"We are the more like a barrel of herrings," answered Le Glorieux, "which is the most natural resemblance for a Flemish army."

The jester's speech made the Duke laugh, and per haps prevented a farther prosecution of the altercation betwixt him and his general.

By dint of great exertion, a small lust-haus, or country villa of some wealthy citizen of Liege, was secured and cleared of other occupants, for the accommodation of the Duke and his immediate attendants; and the authority of D'Hymbercourt and Crevecœur at length established a guard in the vicinity, of about forty men-at-arms, who lighted a very large fire, made with the timber of the outhouses, which they pulled down for the purpose.

When this news was brought to Duke Charles, he A little to the left of this villa, and betwixt it and was furious with rage, which was not much appeas- the suburb, which, as we have said, was opposite to ed by the offer of King Louis, to send the French the city-gate, and occupied by the Burgundian vanmen-at-arms into the suburbs, to rescue and bring guard, lay another pleasure-house, surrounded by a off the Burgundian vanguard. Rejecting this offer garden and court-yard, and having two or three briefly, he would have put himself at the head of his small enclosures or fields in the rear of it. In this own Guards, to extricate those engaged in the incau- the King of France established his own head-quarters. tious advance; but D'Hymbercourt and Crèvecœur He did not himself pretend to be a soldier, farther entreated him to leave the service to them, and, than a natural indifference to danger and much sagamarching into the scene of action at two points, with city qualified him to be called such; but he was always more order and proper arrangement for mutual sup-careful to employ the most skilful in that profession, port, these two celebrated captains succeeded in re- and reposed in them the confidence they merited. pulsing the Liegeois, and in extricating the vanguard, Louis and his immediate attendants occupied this who lost, besides prisoners, no fewer than eight second villa; a part of his Scottish Guard were hundred men, of whom about a hundred were men- placed in the court, where there were outhouses and at-arms. The prisoners, however, were not nume- sheds to shelter them from the weather; the rest rous, most of them having been rescued by D'Hym- were stationed in the garden. The remainder of the bercourt, who now proceeded to occupy the contested French men-at-arms were quartered closely together suburb, and to place guards opposite to the town, and in good order, with alarm-posts stationed, in from which it was divided by an open space, or case of their having to sustain an attack. esplanade, of five or six hundred yards, left free of buildings for the purpose of defence. There was no moat betwixt the suburb and town, the ground being rocky in that place. A gate fronted the suburb, from which sallies might be easily made, and the wall was pierced by two or three of those breaches which Duke Charles had caused to be made after the battle of Saint Tron, and which had been hastily repaired with mere barricades of timber. D'Hymbercourt turned two culverins on the gate, and placed two others opposite to the principal breach, to repel any sally from the city, and then returned to the Burgundian army, which he found in great disorder.

Dunois and Crawford, assisted by several old officers and soldiers, amongst whom Le Balafré was conspicuous for his diligence, contrived, by breaking down walls, making openings through hedges, filling up ditches, and the like, to facilitate the communication of the troops with each other, and the orderly combination of the whole in case of necessity.

Meanwhile, the King judged it proper to go without farther ceremony to the quarters of the Duke of Burgundy, to ascertain what was to be the order of proceeding, and what co-operation was expected from him. His presence occasioned a sort of council of war to be held, of which Charles might not otherwise have dreamed.

It was then that Quentin Durward prayed earnest. ly to be admitted, as having something of importanco to deliver to the two Princes. This was obtained without much difficulty, and great was the astonishment of Louis, when he heard him calmly and distinctly relate the purpose of William de la Marck, to make a sally upon the camp of the besiegers, under the dress and banners of the French. Louis would probably have been much better pleased to have had such important news communicated in private; but as the whole story had been publicly told in presence of the Duke of Burgundy, he only observed, "that, whether true or false, such a report concerned them most materially."

In fact, the main body and rear of the numerous army of the Duke had continued to advance, while the broken and repulsed vanguard was in the act of retreating; and they had come into collision with each other, to the great confusion of both. The necessary absence of D'Hymbercourt, who discharged all the duties of Maréchal du Camp, or, as we should now say, of Quarter-master-general, augmented the disorder; and to complete, the whole, the night sunk down dark as a wolf's month: there fell a thick and heavy rain, and the ground, on which the beleaguering army must needs take up their position, was muddy, and intersected with many canals. It is scarce possible to form an idea of the confusion which prevailed in the Burgundian army, where leaders were separated from their soldiers, and soldiers from their "Not a whit!-not a whit!" said the Duke, carestandards and officers. Every one, from the highest lessly. "Had there been such a purpose as this to the lowest, was seeking shelter and accommoda-young man announces, it had not been communi

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