stand, while bows were bent, and harquebusses aimed at him
from the walls, a rigour of vigilance used, notwithstanding that the young
stranger came in company of a party of the garrison, nay, of the very body which
furnished the sentinels who were then upon duty.
    Le Balafré, who had remained by his nephew's side on purpose, gave the
necessary explanations, and, after some considerable hesitation and delay, the
youth was conveyed under a strong guard to the Lord Crawford's apartment.
    This Scottish nobleman was one of the last relics of the gallant band of
Scottish lords and knights who had so long and so truly served Charles VI. in
those bloody wars which decided the independence of the French crown, and the
expulsion of the English. He had fought, when a boy, abreast with Douglas and
with Buchan, had ridden beneath the banner of the Maid of Arc, and was perhaps
one 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 high office which he held in the household of Louis, and his own frank and
loyal character, had gained a considerable ascendency over the King, who, though
in general no ready believer in human virtue or honour, trusted and confided in
those of the Lord Crawford, and allowed him the greater influence, because he
was never known to interfere excepting in matters which concerned his charge.
    Balafré and Cunningham followed Durward and the guard to the apartment of
their officer, by whose dignified appearance, as well as with the respect paid
to him by these proud soldiers, who seemed to respect no one else, the young man
was much and strongly impressed.
    Lord Crawford was tall, and through advanced age had become gaunt and thin;
yet retaining in his sinews the strength, at least, if not the elasticity, of
youth, he was able to endure the weight of his armour during a march as well as
the youngest man who rode in his band. He was hard-favoured, with a scarred and
weatherbeaten countenance, and an eye that had looked upon death as his
playfellow in thirty pitched 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 chambergown, secured
around