“And so am I!” cried Forster, joyfully. “Mr. Townley is a great acquisition. But who is the person next him?”
“I can tell you,” replied Mrs. Scarisbrick. “He is Mr. Shuttleworth of Shuttleworth Hall, and belongs to as old a family as Mr. Townley.”
“Bravo!” exclaimed Forster.
“The gentleman next him,” said Father Norman, who had now come up, “is Sir Francis Anderton, of Lostock Hall-a strict Roman Catholic. I know him well. Next him is another Roman Catholic, Mr. Richard Chorley, of Chorley.”
“Who comes next?” inquired Forster.
“Mr. Gabriel Hesketh, of Whitehall, near St. Michael’s-le-Wyre,” replied Mrs. Scarisbrick. “The young gentleman with him is his son, Mr. Cuthbert Hesketh. Then comes Mr. John Leyburne, of Natesby Hall.”
“But one remains-Mr. Ralph Standish, of Standish,” said Lord Derwentwater, “He is nearly related to Mr. Townley.”
“All these gentlemen belong to the old religion,” observed Father Norman.
“It must be owned that the Roman Catholics have proved loyal to King James,” said Forster.
“If the High Church Tories support us equally well we cannot fail,” said Lord Derwentwater.
“Oh! we are quite sure of them,” said Forster. “But I must go and receive our distinguished recruits. I must beg your lordship to come with me,” he added to Lord Derwentwater.
They were about to leave the room, when the door was thrown open and Lord Widdrington entered with Mr. Townley, whom he presented to General Forster, stating that he was come to join the insurgent force, and Forster had scarcely welcomed him, when the other gentlemen came in, and were presented in like manner.
This little ceremony gone through, Forster expressed his high gratification at the adherence of such distinguished persons, and said:
“To prove how sensible I am of the importance of your accession, gentlemen, you will understand that you all join with the rank of captain, and I am quite certain you will do credit to the troops you will command.”
This courteous act, as judicious as good-natured, gave great satisfaction to the gentlemen, and was suitably acknowledged.
Lord Derwentwater then came forward, and welcomed them in his turn, offering to provide them all with quarters in his large house.
“My servants will show you the rooms I have to spare, gentlemen,” he said, “and if you like them, they are quite at your disposal.”
Thanks were offered his lordship for the obliging offer, but it was eventually arranged that Mr. Townley and Mr. Standish should be quartered with General Forster, while the others gladly agreed to become Lord Derwentwater’s guests.
These matters being arranged, the gentlemen were presented by his lordship to the countess, and by General Forster to his sister and Mrs. Scarisbrick.
Shortly afterwards another arrival took place. This was Mr. Richard Gascoigne, a Roman Catholic gentleman, belonging to an Irish family of some distinction. A person of very refined manners, Mr. Gascoigne was a friend of Colonel Oxburgh, by whom he was presented to General Forster, and like those who had preceded him was complimented with the rank of captain. Mr. Gascoigne was very handsome, and seemed to make a favourable impression upon the ladies-particularly upon Mrs. Scarisbrick. The general offered him quarters, which he very gladly accepted.
Several other important additions were made to the force in the course of the day; but it was remarked that they were all Roman Catholics. Notwithstanding the promises of support from that party, not a single High Church Tory joined.
When questioned as to this strange falling off on the part of his friends, General Forster declared he could not account for it. However it was quite clear that the insurgent army was considerably augmented.
On the second day after their arrival at Preston, the rebels numbered more than four thousand men.
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VI
The Ball at the Town-Hall
THOUGH little time had been allowed for its preparation, the ball at the town-hall was really very brilliant. The rooms were large, but crowded to excess, and space could with difficulty be found for the dancers. As the greater part of the male guests were military, their varied costumes added materially to the effect of the scene. The leaders of all the English and Scottish regiments were present, and though Brigadier Mackintosh rarely appeared at such an assembly, his tall figure could be descried amid the gay throng.