young man cast another keen and penetrating glance on him who spoke, and
on his silent companion, as if doubtful whether they, on their part, merited the
confidence they demanded; and the result of his observation was as follows.
    The eldest, and most remarkable of these men in dress and appearance,
resembled the merchant or shopkeeper of the period. His jerkin, hose, and cloak,
were of a dark uniform colour, but worn so threadbare, that the acute young Scot
conceived that the wearer must be either very rich or very poor, probably the
former. The fashion of the dress was close and short - a kind of garments which
were not then held decorous among gentry, or even the superior class of
citizens, who generally wore loose gowns which descended below the middle of the
leg.
    The expression of this man's countenance was partly attractive, and partly
forbidding. His strong features, sunk cheeks, and hollow eyes, had nevertheless
an expression of shrewdness and humour congenial to the character of the young
adventurer. But then, those same sunken eyes, from under the shroud of thick
black eyebrows, had something in them that was at once commanding and sinister.
Perhaps this effect was increased by the low fur cap, much depressed on the
forehead, and adding to the shade from under which those eyes peered out; but it
is certain that the young stranger had some difficulty to reconcile his looks
with the meanness of his appearance in other respects.
    His cap, in particular, in which all men of any quality displayed either a
brooch of gold or of silver, was ornamented with a paltry image of the Virgin,
in lead, such as the poorer sort of pilgrims bring from Loretto.
    His comrade was a stout-formed, middle-sized man, more than ten years
younger than his companion, with a down-looking visage, and a very ominous
smile, when by chance he gave way to that impulse, which was never, except in
reply to certain secret signs that seemed to pass between him and the elder
stranger. This man was armed with a sword and dagger; and underneath his plain
habit, the Scotsman observed that he concealed a jazeran, or flexible shirt of
linked mail, which, as being often worn by those, even of peaceful professions,
who were called upon at that perilous period to be frequently abroad, confirmed
the young man in his conjecture, that the wearer was by profession a butcher,
grazier, or something of that description, called upon to be much abroad.
    The young stranger, comprehending in one glance the result of the