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