Better
be under him than under the shrivelled skinflint of France, who wore
his fine robes as though they galled him. Come and take service here
when thou art whole of thine hurt, Leonard."
"I thought thy Duke was disinclined to Lancaster."
"He may be to the Queen and the poor King, whom the Saints guard, but
he likes English hearts and thews in his pay well enough."
"Thou knowst I am a knight, worse luck."
"Heed not for thy knighthood. The Duke of Exeter and my Lord of
Oxford have put their honours in their pouch and are serving him.
Thy lame leg is a worse hindrance than the gold spur on it, but I
trow that will pass."
The comrades talked on, over the fate of English friends and homes,
and the hopelessness of their cause. It was agreed in this, and in
many subsequent visits from Scrope, that so soon as Leonard should
have shaken off his lameness he should begin service under one of the
Duke's captains. A man-at-arms in the splendid suite of the
Burgundian Dukes was generally of good birth, and was attended by two
grooms and a page when in the field; his pay was fairly sufficient,
and his accoutrements and arms were required to be such as to do
honour to his employer. It was the refuge sooner or later of many a
Lancastrian, and Leonard, who doubted of the regularity of his
uncle's supplies, decided that he could do no better for himself
while waiting for better times for his Queen, though Master Lambert
told him that he need not distress himself, there were ample means
for him still.
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