"Peter," said Pavillon, "we will go presently to the city. I will stay no longer in Schonwaldt."
"But the bridges of this castle are up, master," said Geislaer – "the gates locked, and guarded by these lanzknechts: and, if we were to try to force our way, these fellows, whose every-day business is war, might make wild work of us, that only fight of a holyday."
"But why has he secured the gates?" said the alarmed burgher; "or what business hath he to make honest men prisoners?"
"I cannot tell – not I," said Peter. "Some noise there is about the Ladies of Croye, who have escaped during the storm of the Castle. That first put the Man with the Beard beside himself with anger, and now he's beside himself with drink also."
The Burgomaster cast a disconsolate look towards Quentin, and seemed at a loss what to resolve upon. Durward, who had not lost a word of the conversation, which alarmed him very much, saw nevertheless that their only safety depended on his preserving his own presence of mind, and sustaining the courage of Pavillon. He struck boldly into the conversation, as one who had a right to have a voice in the deliberation. – "I am ashamed," he said, "Meinheer Pavillon, to observe you hesitate what to do on this occasion. Go boldly to William de la Marck, and demand free leave to quit the castle, you, your lieutenant, your squire, and your daughter. He can have no pretence for keeping you prisoner."
"For me and my lieutenant – that is myself and Peter? – good – but who is my squire?"
"I am, for the present," replied the undaunted Scot.
"You!" said the embarrassed burgess; "but are you not the envoy of King Louis of France?"
"True, but my message is to the magistrates of Liege – and only in Liege will I deliver it. – Were I to acknowledge my quality before William de la Marck, must I not enter into negotiation with him? ay, and, it is like, be detained by him. You must get me secretly out of the Castle in the capacity of your squire."
"Good – my squire; – but you spoke of my daughter – my daughter is, I trust, safe in my house in Liege – where I wish her father was, with all my heart and soul."