"
"You had not! I know you had not!"
"Hurt Ned? I'd as soon have hurt my own brother! Nay, I got this
blow from Clifford for coming between," said he, pushing back his
hair so as to show a mark near his temple. "But how did you know?"
"Harry Featherstone told me." She had all but said, "My father's
squire."
"You knew Featherstone? Belike when he was at Whitburn. He is here
now; a good man of his hands," muttered Leonard. "Anyway the King
believes I had a hand in that cruel business of Wakefield Bridge, and
nought but his witness would save my neck if once I ventured into
England--if that would. So I may resign myself to be the Duke's
captain of archers for the rest of my days. Heigh ho! And a lonely
man; I fear me in debt to good Master Lambert, or may be to Mistress
Grisell, to whom I owe more than coin will pay. Ha! was that--"
interrupting himself, for a trumpet blast was ringing out at
intervals, the signal of summons to the men-at-arms. Leonard started
up, waved farewell, and rushed off.
The summons proved to be a call to the men-at-arms to attend the Duke
early the next morning on an expedition to visit his fortresses in
Picardy, and as the household of the Green Serpent returned from
mass, they heard the tramp and clatter, and saw the armour flash in
the sun as the troop passed along the main street, and became visible
at the opening of that up which they walked.
Pages:
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230