Here, however, he was visited by his chief friend and comrade, Edmund
Plantagenet of York, who found him lying on the floor, building up
fragments of stone and mortar into the plan of a castle.

"How dost thou, Leonard?" he asked. "Did old Hal strike very hard?"

"I reck not," growled Leonard.

"How long will my uncle keep thee here?" asked Edmund sympathisingly.

"Till my father comes, unless the foolish wench should go and die.
She brought it on me, the peevish girl. She is always after me when
I want her least."

"Yea, is not she contracted to thee?"

"So they say; but at least this puts a stop to my being plagued with
her--do what they may to me. There's an end to it, if I hang for
it."

"They would never hang thee."

"None knows what you traitor folk of Nevil would do to a loyal
house," growled Leonard.

"Traitor, saidst thou," cried Edmund, clenching his fists. "'Tis thy
base Somerset crew that be the traitors."

"I'll brook no such word from thee," burst forth Leonard, flying at
him.