sted satisfied with any other. Louis
XI of France practised the same sophistry, for he also had a peculiar
species of oath, the only one which he was ever known to respect, and
which, therefore, he was very unwilling to pledge. The only engagement
which that wily tyrant accounted binding upon him, was an oath by the
Holy Cross of Saint Lo d'Angers, which contained a Portion of the True
Cross. If he prevaricated after taking this oath, Louis believed he
should die within the year. The Constable Saint Paul, being invited to a
personal conference with Louis, refused to meet the king unless he would
agree to ensure him safe conduct under sanction of this oath. But, says
Comines, the king replied, he would never again pledge that engagement
to mortal man, though he was willing to take any other oath which could
be devised. The treaty broke off, therefore, after much chaffering
concerning the nature of the vow which Louis was to take. Such is the
difference between the dictates of superstition and those of conscience.

*****

GLOSSARY

ABIIT, EVASIT, ERUPIT, EFFUGIT, more correctly the quotation is, 'abiit,
excessit, evasit, erupit': varying terms to express the haste, secrecy,
and energy of the flight.

ABOON or ABUNE, above.

ACCOLADE, embrace.

ADSCRIPTI GLEBAE, slaves, transferred with the land to which they are
bound, from one possessor to another.

AHINT, behind.

AITS, oats.

ALERTE A LA MURAILLE, 'Quick to the wall!'

ALEXANDER AB ALEXANDRO, Alexander the son of Alexander.

ALMA = 'alma mater terra', the land, the bounteous mother.

ALTER EGO, his other self.

AMBRY, AWMRY, chest.

ANENT, concerning.

ANILIA, old women's tales.

APOTHEOSIS, deification.

ARIETTE, air.

ASSOILZIED, acquitted, or absolved.

ASSYTHMENT, satisfaction.

BAFF, slap.

BAGGANETS, bayonets.

BARLEY, parley; CRY BARLEY IN A BRUILZIE, call a truce during a
scrimmage.

BARON-BAILIE, steward of the estate.

BAWBEE, halfpenny.

BAXTER, baker.

BEAUFET, buffet, sideboard.

BEFLUMMED, befooled.

BEGUNK, trick.

BEN, within (by, in).

BENEMPT, named.

BENT, open country.

BHAIRD, bard.

BIBLIOPOLIST, seller of books.

BIELDY, sheltered.

BIRLIEMAN, a parish official.

BLIND, hidden, out of the way.

BLOOD-WIT, blood-money, compensation for homicide.

BODACH, spectre.

BODLE, farthing.

BOGLE, bogey.

BON VIVANT, a lover of good fare.

BOUNE, make ready.

BRANDER, broil.

BR