Louis, whose tyrannical disposition was less founded on natural ferocity or cruelty of temper, than on cold-blooded policy and jealous suspicion, had, nevertheless, a share of that caustic severity which would have made him a despot in private conversation, and always seemed to enjoy the pain which he inflicted on occasions like the present. But he did not push his triumph far, and contented himself with saying, – "Thy service of the morning hath already overpaid some negligence in so young a soldier – Hast thou dined?"
Quentin, who rather looked to be sent to the Provost-Marshal, than greeted with such a compliment, answered humbly in the negative.
"Poor lad," said Louis, in a softer tone than he usually spoke in, "hunger hath made him drowsy. – I know thine appetite is a wolf," he continued; "and I will save thee from one wild beast as thou didst me from another; – thou hast been prudent too in that matter, and I thank thee for it. – Canst thou yet hold out an hour without food?"
"Four-and-twenty, Sire," replied Durward, "or I were no true Scot."
"I would not for another kingdom be the pasty which should encounter thee after such a vigil," said the King; "but the question now is, not of thy dinner, but of my own. I admit to my table this day, and in strict privacy, the Cardinal Balue and this Burgundian – this Count de Crèvecoeur, and something may chance – the devil is most busy when foes meet on terms of truce."
He stopped, and remained silent, with a deep and gloomy look. As the King was in no haste to proceed, Quentin at length ventured to ask what his duty was to be in these circumstances.
"To keep watch at the beauffet, with thy loaded weapon," said Louis; "and if there is treason, to shoot the traitor dead."
"Treason, Sire! and in this guarded Castle!" exclaimed Durward.
"You think it impossible," said the King, not offended, it would seem, by his frankness; "but our history has shown that treason can creep into an auger-hole. – Treason excluded by guards! O thou silly boy! – quis custodiat ipsos custodes – who shall exclude the treason of those very warders?"
"Their Scottish honour," answered Durward, boldly.