orphan
might be partly owing to these circumstances. Quentin, who had learned this
point of the leader's character from the old priest, planted himself as close as
he could to the youth in question; determined to make him, in some way or other,
either a hostage or a protector, should other means of safety fail them.
    While all stood in a kind of suspense, waiting the event of the orders which
the tyrant had issued, one of Pavillon's followers whispered Peter, »Did not our
master call that wench his daughter? - Why it cannot be our Trudchen. This
strapping lass is taller by two inches; and there is a black lock of hair peeps
forth yonder from under her veil. By Saint Michael of the Market-place, you
might as well call a black bullock's hide a white heifer's!«
    »Hush! hush!« said Peter, with some presence of mind - »What if our master
hath a mind to steal a piece of doevenison out of the Bishop's park here,
without our good dame's knowledge? And is it for thee or me to be a spy on him?«
    »That will not I, brother,« answered the other, »though I would not have
thought of his turning deer-stealer at his years. Sapperment - what a shy fairy
it is! See how she crouches down on yonder seat, behind folk's backs, to escape
the gaze of the Marckers. - But hold, hold; what are they about to do with the
poor old Bishop?«
    As he spoke, the Bishop of Liege, Louis of Bourbon, was dragged into the
hall of his own palace, by the brutal soldiery. The dishevelled state of his
hair, beard, and attire, bore witness to the ill-treatment he had already
received; and some of his sacerdotal robes, hastily flung over him, appeared to
have been put on in scorn and ridicule of his quality and character. By good
fortune, as Quentin was compelled to think it, the Countess Isabelle, whose
feelings at seeing her protector in such an extremity, might have betrayed her
own secret and compromised her safety, was so situated as neither to hear nor
see what was about to take place; and Durward sedulously interposed his own
person before her, so as to keep her from observing alike, and from observation.
    The scene which followed was short and fearful. When the unhappy Prelate was
brought before the footstool of the savage leader, although in former life only
remarkable for his easy and good