Preston Fight by W. Harrison Ainsworth

“How strange!” he exclaimed, after the first expressions of delight were over. “I was just writing to you to say I wished I had the power to conjure you here, and as if in answer to the summons, you appear.”

“You are certainly the enchanter, who has brought me here,” she replied, smiling. “But I am not alone,” she cried. “Father Norman is with me, and Newbiggin; and I have also brought Dorothy Forster to see her brother.”

“Dorothy is much wanted,” he replied. “But tell me how you got here? Have you experienced any hindrance or annoyance on the road?”

“None whatever,” she replied. “We set out from Dilston two days ago, and got to Lancaster yesterday, just after you had left, but were too tired to follow, so we rested there, and came on to-day. Do not imagine that I intend to accompany you in your campaign. My sole object in coming here is to see you once more. Left by myself at Dilston I became so unhappy that I thought I should have died. In vain Father Norman offered me all the consolation in his power. I consulted Dorothy-told her how wretched I was-that I was resolved to see you again, cost what it might-and she agreed to accompany me. Finding nothing could turn me from my purpose, Father Norman likewise volunteered to attend me-nor could I leave Newbiggin behind. I hope I have not done wrong in bringing him. There are plenty of faithful servants to take care of the castle during my absence. But what excellent quarters you have got. This is really a charming house.”

“Yes, I believe it is the best in the town. It belongs to Sir Henry Hoghton, who commands the Lancashire militia. He is gone to Wigan, where he expects to be joined-if he has not been already joined-by General Wills, with several regiments of dragoons. Our foes you see are close at hand, yet they might be a hundred miles off for aught Forster seems to care. If I had the command of the army, I should have fortified myself at Lancaster, but Forster decided otherwise. Now we may have to stand an assault here. And Wills is not our only enemy. General Carpenter is advancing from Newcastle, and possibly may overtake us, ere we leave Preston.”

“What if he does?” said the countess. “You have no reason to fear him.”

“With Forster at our head, we shall never win a battle,” said the earl.

“You are dispirited, my dear lord,” observed the countess; “and I think without reason.”

“I wish I could think so,” he rejoined, sadly. “But I cannot. With such a general as Forster we shall do no good. But where are Dorothy and Father Norman?”

“I left them in the large room opening from the hall,” she replied.

“I must go and bid them welcome,” said the earl. “I am rejoiced that Dorothy has come. She has great influence with her brother, and may extricate us from the dreadful dilemma in which we are placed.”

“Finding your quarters so good, I have asked her to stay with me here,” said the countess. “I don’t think she will be in the way.”

“Not in the least,” replied the earl. “There is room for a dozen more. My brother Charles is the only person in the house with me, and nothing can be more agreeable to him than Dorothy’s society. By-the-bye, I must tell you that since his arrival here, the general has fallen desperately in love with a fair widow-Mrs. Scarisbrick. I mention the matter because I have no doubt you will soon see her. She is really very handsome, as are all the Preston women, who have made sad work with most of the young men in my regiment. They are half crazed about them. But come along, sweetheart. We must not remain talking here. I want to see Dorothy and Father Norman.”

Newbiggin was standing in the passage as the earl came forth with the countess, and received a very kindly greeting from his lordship.

“I am very glad to see you, Newbiggin,” said Lord Derwentwater. “I haven’t time to talk to you now, but I shall have a good deal to say to you, when I am more at leisure.”