"And so it is, I doubt not," said the old man; "but there are three of the name in the Scottish Guard."
"My uncle's name is Ludovic Lesly," said the young man.
"Of the three Leslies," answered the merchant, "two are called Ludovic."
"They call my kinsman Ludovic with the Scar," said Quentin. – "Our family names are so common in a Scottish house, that where there is no land in the case, we always give a to-name."
"A nom de guerre, I suppose you to mean," answered his companion; "and the man you speak of, we, I think, call Le Balafré, from that scar on his face – a proper man and a good soldier. I wish I may be able to help you to an interview with him, for he belongs to a set of gentlemen whose duty is strict, and who do not often come out of garrison, unless in the immediate attendance on the King's person. – And now, young man, answer me one question. I will wager you are desirous to take service with your uncle in the Scottish Guard. It is a great thing, if you propose so; especially as you are very young, and some years' experience is necessary for the high office which you aim at."
"Perhaps I may have thought on some such thing," said Durward, carelessly; "but if I did, the fancy is off."
"How so, young man?" said the Frenchman, something sternly – "Do you speak thus of a charge which the most noble of your countrymen feel themselves emulous to be admitted to?"
"I wish them joy of it," said Quentin, composedly. – "To speak plain, I should have liked the service of the French King full well; only, dress me as fine, and feed me as high as you will, I love the open air better than being shut up in a cage or a swallow's nest yonder, as you call these same grated pepper-boxes. Besides," he added, in a lower voice, "to speak truth, I love not the Castle when the covin-tree[3] bears such acorns as I see yonder."
"I guess what you mean," said the Frenchman; "but speak yet more plainly."
"To speak more plainly, then," said the youth, "there grows a fair oak some flight-shot or so from yonder Castle – and on that oak hangs a man in a grey jerkin, such as this which I wear."