yet Gaston le Maure chooses to stay with him rather than lead a
merry life with Sir Perduccas d'Albret, with all to gain, and
nought to lose! A different life from the days he and I spent
together of old."

"Gaston d'Aubricour is as sharp as the Knight himself," said Leonard,
"and gibes me without ceasing; but yet I could bear it all, were it
not for seeing Eustace, the clerk, preferred to me, as if I were not
heir to more acres than he can ever count crowns."

"What may then be your name, fair youth, and your inheritance?"
demanded the one-eyed Squire, "for your coat of arms is new in
the camp."

"My name is Leonard Ashton; my father--" but Leonard's speech was
cut short by a Squire who stumbled over his outstretched foot. Both
parties burst into angry exclamations, Leonard's new acquaintance
taking his part. Men looked up, and serious consequences might have
ensued, had not Gaston hastened to the spot. "Shame on you, young
malapert," said he to his hopeful pupil. "Cannot I leave you one
moment unwatched, but you must be brawling in the Prince's own
presence? Here, bear this bread to Sir Reginald instantly, and
leave me to make your peace. Master Clifford," added he, as Leonard
shuffled away, "'tis an uncouth slip whom Sir Reginald Lynwood has
undertaken to mould into form, and if he is visited as he deserves
for each piece of discourtesy, his life will not be long enough for
amendment, so I must e'en beg you to take my apology."

"Most readily, Master d'Aubricour," replied Clifford; "there would
not have been the least offence had the youth only possessed a civil