"I may not tarry," he said to Ridley, "but this place, since it falls
to me and mine, must be held for the King and Queen."
"My lady bows to your will, sir," returned Ridley.
Copeland continued to survey the walls and very antiquated defences,
observing that there could have been few alarms there. This lasted
till the rites in the sick-room were ended, and the priest came
forth.
"Sir," he said to Copeland, "you will pardon the young lady. Her
mother is in articulo mortis, and she cannot leave her."
"I would not disturb her," said Leonard. "The Saints forbid that I
should vex her. I come but as in duty bound to damn this Tower on
behalf of King Harry, Queen Margaret, and the Prince of Wales against
all traitors. I will not tarry here longer than to put it into hands
who will hold it for them and for me. How say you, Sir Squire?" he
added, turning to Ridley, not discourteously.
"We ever did hold for King Harry, sir," returned the old esquire.
"Yea, but against his true friends, York and Warwick. One is cut
off, ay, and his aider and defender, Salisbury, who should rather
have stood by his King, has suffered a traitor's end at Pomfret."
"My Lord of Salisbury! Ah! that will grieve my poor young lady,"
sighed Ridley.
"He was a kind lord, save for his treason to the King," said Leonard.
"We of his household long ago were happy enough, though strangely
divided now.
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