how is leonard presented in the novel howards end ?

Leonard Bast begins on the boundary between the very poor and the middle class. His biggest fear is falling into the abyss of poverty and ignorance, thus he tries to culture himself through reading and music. He sees the Schlegels as prime examples of intellect and romance, but envies their privilege. He is younger than twenty-one when the novel begins, but has promised to marry Jacky when he comes of age, as one of his cardinal rules is to never abandon a woman in need.