By the express desire of Queen Mary of Modena, Lord Radclyffe remained at Saint Germains until after the death of William the Third, and the accession of Anne, mixed up in the various Jacobite plots, of which that court was then the hot-bed, until the decease of his own father, in 1705, compelled him to return to England, in order to take possession of his estates.
On his departure the young earl renewed his professions of loyalty and devotion to the Chevalier de Saint George, as the prince was now designated, and promised to hold himself in constant readiness for a summons to rise. He also took an affectionate leave of the queen, who embraced him like a mother, and gave him her blessing.
Five years flew by, during which an attempt at invasion was made by the Chevalier de Saint George with a squadron under the command of the renowned Forbin, but the prince was unable to disembark, and consequently Lord Derwentwater was not called upon to join him.
Discouraged by this ill-success, and receiving no further support from Louis the Fourteenth, the prince joined the French army under Villars, and fought bravely at Malplaquet.
Ever since his return from Saint Germains Lord Derwentwater had resided at Dilston. He lacked a mother’s care, for the countess had long been dead, but he was watched over and counselled by Father Norman, an excellent man, who had been chaplain to the late earl.
In anticipation of a sudden summons, Lord Derwentwater kept a large collection of arms concealed in the old tower previously described. He had plenty of horses in his stables and elsewhere, and with his servants and retainers, and the number of miners in his employ, he could at any time raise two or three hundred men, and arm and equip them.
Until lately, a secret correspondence had been constantly kept up between the earl and the Chevalier de Saint George, but for some months no letter had been received from the prince.
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II
The Chevalier de Saint George
ONE morning, at this juncture, the young earl, mounted on his favourite dapple-grey steed, rode out from the castle, and took his way down the chestnut avenue, accompanied by his brother, Charles Radclyffe.
The two young equestrians made a very gallant appearance, being attired in scarlet riding-coats, edged with gold lace, feathered hats, long neck-cloths, laced ruffles, and boots ascending above the knee. The grooms wore green riding-coats laced with gold, and green velvet caps.
The earl, who was riding to Corbridge, which was not very far off, proceeded at a leisurely pace, and occasionally halted to examine some object in the grounds, or listen to an appeal to his charity. In the latter case the applicant was sent on to the castle to state his case to Father Norman.
The morning was bright and clear, and the country looked so charming that the earl determined to extend his ride along the banks of the Tyne as soon as his business at Corbridge was finished; but he had not quitted the avenue when a horseman entered it, who was evidently proceeding to the castle.
This person might be a courier, for he rode a post-horse, and was followed by a post-boy, who carried his portmanteau; and there was nothing in his grey riding-dress to indicate rank. He had pistols in his girdle, and a hanger by his side. But he rode well, though provided only with a sorry hack, and had a military bearing. In age he could not be more than three-and-twenty, if so much. He was rather above the middle height, and slightly built, and his features were handsome and expressive.
On seeing the earl and his brother the stranger immediately slackened his pace, and rode slowly towards them.
Lord Derwentwater gazed at him in astonishment, and as if he could scarcely believe his eyes.
At length he turned to his brother and exclaimed:
“By Heaven, ’tis he!”
“He! who?” cried Charles Radclyffe.
“The Chevalier de Saint George,” replied the earl, under his breath.
“Impossible!” said the other. “He would never come here in this manner, and without giving us some notice of his design.”
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