On the contrary, the oftener and more fixedly Quentin looked at him, the stronger became his curiosity to know who or what this man actually was; and he set him down internally for at least a Syndic or high magistrate of Tours, or one who was, in some way or other, in the full habit of exacting and receiving deference.

Meantime, the merchant seemed again sunk into a reverie, from which he raised himself only to make the sign of the cross devoutly, and to eat some of the dried fruit, with a morsel of biscuit.

He then signed to Quentin to give him the cup, adding, however, by way of question, as he presented it, "You are noble, you say ?" "I surely am," replied the Scot, "if fifteen descents can make me so--so I told you before.

But do not constrain yourself on that account, Maitre Pierre--I have always been taught it is the duty of the young to assist the more aged." "An excellent maxim," said the merchant, availing himself of the youth's assistance in handing the cup, and filling it from a ewer which seemed of the same materials with the goblet, without any of those scruples in point of propriety which, perhaps, Quentin had expected to excite.
"The devil take the ease and familiarity of this old mechanical burgher!" said Durward once more to himself.

"He uses the attendance of a noble Scottish gentleman with as little ceremony as I would that of a gillie from Glen Isla." The merchant, in the meanwhile, having finished his cup of water, said to his companion, "From the zeal with which you seem to relish the Vin de Beaulne, I fancy you would not care much to pledge me in this elemental liquor.