Preston Fight by W. Harrison Ainsworth

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XIV

The Earl’s brief Visit to Dilston

AFTER the business of the day was concluded General Forster and the officers sat down to dinner, but Lord Derwentwater excused himself from joining the party as he wished to ride over to Dilston. He did not take a servant with him, and said he should return by midnight.

It was growing dusk as he rode through the woods that skirted his domains, but it was quite light enough to enable him to distinguish the castle. His heart was sad as he gazed at it, for he felt he could not remain there. The place seemed his own no longer.

However, he strove to stifle those painful feelings, and they soon gave way to other emotions.

Still, he could not banish the notion that the place was changed, though in what respect he could scarcely tell, for a groom came to take his horse, and Newbiggin welcomed him at the entrance, and with a manifestation of delight that could not fail to touch his master.

“I hope your lordship is coming to remain with us-at least, for a few days?” said the butler.

“Alas! no,” replied the earl. “I must return to Hexham to-night, and to-morrow morning we march to Rothbury.”

The butler looked quite cast down.

“I fear Dilston will never again be what it was, my lord,” he said. “How I wish your lordship could give up this perilous expedition and return to us.”

“That is impossible, Newbiggin,” said the earl, scarcely able to repress a sigh. “I must go on now. But where is the countess?”

“She is here,” cried a well-known voice.

And next moment she flew towards him, and was clasped in his arms.

It is very questionable whether Lord Derwentwater’s brief visit to his mansion was not productive of more pain to him than pleasure.

So many fresh anxieties were aroused that they marred his happiness, and the moments flew by so quickly that they seemed gone ere they could be numbered. How much had he to say to the countess! And yet how little was said. Half the time they sat together they were silent, but it was a silence more eloquent than words. And when the countess spoke it was ever to incite him to brave deeds.

After awhile they were joined by Dorothy Forster and Father Norman, and then the conversation turned chiefly on the incidents of the march. The countess and Dorothy still believed that the insurrection would be successful, but the priest was less hopeful.

“But where and when will the battle be fought that is to give the crown to King James?” inquired Dorothy.

“That I cannot tell you,” replied the earl. “But I do not think it will be fought in Scotland, though we shall probably march there to meet our allies. However, a few days may decide. General Carpenter is now at Newcastle, with four regiments of dragoons, and we have yet to learn his plans. Should he not find out we have flown, he may march to attack us at Hexham, and then you will see him here.”

Never did the devout Earl of Derwentwater neglect his religious duties. Mass was therefore performed at the little chapel before his departure, and at the conclusion of the service he did not reenter the mansion, but tenderly embracing the countess, bade farewell to her and Dorothy, and mounting his dapple-grey steed took his way alone through the wood to Hexham.

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XV

How the Earl was rescued by Nathan the Woodcutter

THE moon was shining brightly, but her beams could not penetrate the depths of the narrow forest road along which he had proceeded for nearly a mile when he heard the sound of horses’ feet behind him.

Not for a moment imagining it could be an enemy, but thinking it highly probable a messenger might have been sent after him by the countess, he halted.

“Is your lordship there?” cried a voice.

“Ay,” he replied. “What would you with me?”

“You must be pleased to come back with us,” rejoined the speaker. “You are wanted at the castle.”

“What has happened,” cried the earl uneasily.