me
with gifts, - doth he think I am to abide in this old Castle, like a bullfinch
in a cage, fain to sing as oft as he chooses to whistle, and call for seed and
water? - Not so - aut inveniam viam, aut faciam - I will discover or contrive a
remedy. The Cardinal Balue is politic and liberal - this query shall to him, and
it shall be his Eminence's own fault if the stars speak not as he would have
them.«
    He again took the despised guerdon, and weighed it in his hand. »It may be,«
he said, »there is some jewel, or pearl of price, concealed in this paltry case
- I have heard he can be liberal even to lavishness, when it suits his caprice
or interest.«
    He emptied the purse, which contained neither more nor less than ten gold
pieces. The indignation of the Astrologer was extreme. »Thinks he that for such
paltry rate of hire I will practise that celestial science which I have studied
with the Armenian Abbot of Istrahoff, who had not seen the sun for forty years,
- with the Greek Dubravius, who is said to have raised the dead, - and have even
visited the Scheik Ebn Hali in his cave in the deserts of Thebais? - No, by
Heaven! - he that contemns art shall perish through his own ignorance. Ten
pieces! - a pittance which I am half ashamed to offer to Toinette, to buy her
new breast-laces.«
    So saying, the indignant Sage nevertheless plunged the contemned pieces of
gold into a large pouch which he wore at his girdle, which Toinette, and other
abettors of lavish expense, generally contrived to empty fully faster than the
philosopher, with all his art, could find the means of filling.34
 

                               Chapter Fourteenth

                                  The Journey.

 I see thee yet, fair France - thou favour'd land
 Of art and nature - thou art still before me;
 Thy sons, to whom their labour is a sport,
 So well the grateful soil returns its tribute;
 Thy sunburnt daughters, with their laughing eyes
 And glossy raven-locks. But, favour'd France,
 Thou hast had many a tale of woe to tell
 In ancient times as now.
                                                                      Anonymous.
 
Avoiding all conversation with any one (for such was his charge), Quentin
Durward proceeded hastily to array himself in a strong hut plain cuirass, with
thigh and arm pieces, and placed on his head a good steel cap without any visor.
To these was added a handsome cassock of shamois leather, finely dressed and