ot leave my post."

"Only you do not expect me to do the same," said Leonard; "my father
sent me here to gain honour and wealth, not to be poisoned with the
breath of a man in a fever."

"Assuredly not," said Eustace. "I will arrange matters so that you
shall no longer sleep in our tent. But let me ask of you, Leonard,
what was the meaning of your conduct of yesterday?"

"You may ask yourself," said Leonard, sullenly; "it is plain enough,
methinks."

"Have a care, Leonard. Remember that my brother's authority is given
to me."

"Much good may it do you," said Leonard; "but that is nothing to me. I
am no vassal of yours, to come at your call. I have my own friends,
and am not going to stay in this infected part of the camp with men who
keep a fever among them. Give me but my sword and mantle from the
tent, and I will trouble you no more."

"Wait, Leonard, I will take all measures for your safety; but remember
that I am answerable to the Prince for my brother's followers."

"Answer for your own serfs," retorted Leonard, who had nearly succeeded
in working himself into a passion. "My father might be willing to
grace Sir Reginald by letting me follow him, but by his death I am my
own man, and not to move at your beck and call, because the Prince laid
his sword on your shoulder. Knave Jasper," he called to one of the
men-at-arms, "bring my sword and cloak from the tent; I enter it no
more."

"I know not how far you may be bound to me," said Eustace, "and must
inquire from some elder Knight, but I fear that your breaking from me
may be attended with evil effects to your name and fame."

Leonard had put on his dogged expression, and would not listen. He had
already set his mind on joining _le Borgne Basque_, and leaving the
service which his own envious service rendered galling; and the panic
excited in his mind by Gaston's illness determined him to depart
without loss of time, or listening to the representations which he
could not answer. He turned his back on Eustace, and busied himself
with the fastenings of his sword, which had by this time been brought
to him. Even yet Eustace was not rebuffed. "One more hint, Leonard.
From what I am told, there is more peril to thy health in revelry than
in the neighbourhood of poor Gaston. If you will quit one who wishes
you well, take heed to your ways."

Still the discourteous Squire made no reply, and walked off in all the
dignity of ill-humour. The young Knig