A conference was granted him.
“Are you aware of the terms I have offered to Colonel Oxburgh?” said Wills. “They apply to the whole rebel army-English and Scots. I can make no distinction.”
“But the Scottish chiefs, whom I represent, request some further time-say till seven o’clock tomorrow morning-to consult as to the best mode of delivering up our forces. It will not be an easy matter.”
“If you find it difficult, leave it to me,” said Wills, with a stern smile. “I cannot grant the delay you request without consulting General Carpenter-but you shall hear from me.”
And with a haughty bow he dismissed him.
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VI
How Forster learnt that he had been betrayed
AFTER riding away from the exasperated Highlanders, Forster alighted at the town-hall, and meeting Charles Radclyffe and Captain Shaftoe told them what had happened.
“I believe Brigadier Mackintosh has ordered his Highlanders to shoot me,” he said. “My life will not be safe.”
“Do not think it, general,” rejoined Charles Radclyffe. “The brigadier is incapable of such an act. But you had better not expose yourself while the negotiation for the surrender is going on.”
“I shall take care not to do so,” he replied. “I shall remain here for an hour. I want to see Mrs. Scarisbrick.”
“Mrs. Scarisbrick!” exclaimed Charles Radclyffe. “Have you not heard?”
“Heard what?” exclaimed Forster, looking at him in surprise. “I have heard nothing. I have not seen her this morning. I expected to find her here.”
“She is here,” said Charles Radclyffe. “But I cannot explain. Come with me, and you shall know all.”
Not without a strange misgiving did Forster follow him along a passage on the ground floor, at a door in which an elderly female was stationed.
“Here you will find her,” said Charles Radclyffe, in a strangely significant tone.
“Impossible!” cried Forster.
“Yes, general, she is here,” remarked the old woman, opening the door. “She has not been disturbed.”
The room was darkened, but there was light enough to discern a very startling object.
It was the dead body of a very beautiful woman lying extended upon a couch.
Her habiliments were those in which she had died, and her profuse golden tresses were unbound, and scattered over her bosom where she had received the deadly hurt.
Giving utterance to a cry, Forster rushed forward, and seizing her hand pressed it to his lips.
“This completes my misery,” he cried. “In losing her I have lost all that was dear to me, and I care not how soon I follow.”
“She deserved her fate,” said Charles Radclyffe. “She betrayed you and us to the enemy. She was accidentally shot last night, while returning from a secret visit to General Wills. I brought her here myself. I found letters upon her which prove her guilt. I intended to conceal this catastrophe from you-but it is better you should know it.”
“You affirm the truth of what you have just stated?” demanded Forster.
“In every particular,” rejoined Charles Radclyffe. “You were completely duped by her.”
Forster dropped the hand he had hitherto held, and without a word quitted the room.
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VII
Colonel Cotton
IN the afternoon of the same day, General Forster, Lord Derwentwater, Brigadier Mackintosh, and all the rebel lords and leaders were assembled at the Mitre, engaged in a very angry discussion, when a chamade beaten at the door, produced a sudden quietude, and a tall, fine-looking officer in the accoutrements of the king’s dragoons came into the room, being announced by the sentinel as Colonel Cotton.
All bowed as he advanced towards the centre of the room, when looking round, he said courteously:
“You will guess my errand, my lords and gentlemen. I am sent by General Wills to receive your positive answer to his proposition.”
“We are unable to send a precise answer to General Wills,” said the Earl of Derwentwater, “because the Scots are unwilling to capitulate. Brigadier Mackintosh and the Scottish nobles will tell you that this is the case.”
“My men absolutely refuse to lay down their arms,” said the brigadier, “and it is the same with the Clan Chattan, commanded by my kinsman, Colonel Mackintosh.”
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