Mary of Burgundy: Or, The revolt of Ghent,

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1833. Excerpt: ... language and manner: and though, when prompted by others, he could speak an equivocal speech, and would fancy himself a skilful negotiator upon the faith of a doubtful sentence, yet, in general, the feelings of bis heart would bubble up to the surface unrestrained. On the present occasion, as cold capon and rich ham, strong Rhenish and fruity Moselle gave pledges of the most satisfactory kind for his future safety, his joy sparkled forth with somewhat childish glee; and his good friends the. robbers, in the midst of the green forest, supplied in his affections the place of many a boon companion of the rich town of Ghent. The stores of the sumpter-horse were soon nearly consumed, but it was remarked by the worthy burgher, that a portion which, by nice computation, he judged might satisfy the appetite of two hungry citizens, together with a couple of large flasks of the best wine, were set apart with reverential care, as if for some person who was not present, but who was held by his companions in a high degree of respect. After governing his curiosity for some time, that most unrestrainable of all human passions got the better of him, and, by some sidelong questions, he endeavoured to ascertain for whom this reservation was made. "Oh no! no, no!" replied the personage who had hitherto acted as the leader of the freebooters, "we must not touch that, it is put by for our captain, who will be here presently, and will tell us," he added, with a malicious grin, as he played upon the apprehensions of the good citizen,--" and will tell us what we are to do with thee and thine, good Master Martin Fruse: thou art not the first syndic of the weavers, I trow, who has dangled from a beam, and one could not choose a more airy place to hang in, on a summer's day." Thoug...