“You have a letter for me, I perceive,” she said to the damsel, after bidding her good-morrow. “Whence comes it? From Sir Thomas Fairfax?”
“From the noble lord, your husband, madam,” replied Gertrude, giving her the letter. “The luckless messenger who brought it reached the posterngate unharmed. There he was struck by a shot from the enemy, but had strength enough left to fling the letter to the guard.”
“He should have had a better reward for the service,” sighed the countess.
Then opening the letter, and casting her eyes over it, she said:
“My lord approves of my refusal to surrender to Fairfax, and bids me to listen to no propositions, but hold on, as I am certain to be relieved. That is well. Had he commanded otherwise, I could scarce have obeyed him.”
“I do not think your ladyship could be forced to surrender to the rebels,” observed Gertrude.
“Thou art right, girl,” she rejoined. “I will blow up this house and bury us all in the ruins rather than yield to them, so you know the fate that awaits you, if you stay with me.”
“I am not afraid,” replied Gertrude, with a firmness equal to her own.
“Thou art a brave girl,” cried the countess, approvingly.
At this juncture, the three young ladies Stanley entered the room, and flew towards their mother.
“You have a letter from our dear father,” they cried. “Is he coming to drive the enemy away?”
“Not yet,” replied the countess.
“He may come too late,” cried Lady Henriette Marie. “They say the rebels are more threatening than ever, and are determined to batter down our walls as soon as their cannon will fire properly.”
“I am afraid of that terrible mortar,” said Lady Kate. “Captain Standish says they have taken the nails from it, and we may soon expect to hear its dreadful voice again.”
“I think the culverin and the saker make noise enough,” said the little Lady Amelia. “We are to have that music all day.”
“They will cease firing when they find they can do us no harm,” said the countess. “By this time they ought to have found out that they can make no impression on our walls.”
“But they may damage the house,” said Lady Henriette.
As she spoke, a terrible crash was heard in the adjoining chamber, followed by the descent of a heavy body, making it clear that a cannon shot had entered the window, and dropped upon the floor.
The young ladies Stanley screamed, but the countess and Gertrude maintained their composure, and the latter instantly rushed into the other room to see what had happened.
As she supposed, a ponderous shot had broken the beautiful glass of the bay window, and rolled to the foot of the bed.
“Tis well your ladyship had left the room ere this occurred,” said Gertrude, as the countess came in, followed by her daughters, whose countenances bespoke their alarm.
“Yes, I have been wonderfully preserved,” replied the countess.
“But you will not continue to occupy the room, mamma?” cried the Lady Henriette.
“Wherefore not?” rejoined her mother, “Heaven will protect me.”
They were examining the shot when the voices of Trioche and others of the household were heard without, praying admittance, and the countess bade Gertrude open the door of the ante-chamber.
Great was the delight of these faithful servants to find their noble mistress unhurt, and they were still expressing their satisfaction, when Major Farrington, with Standish and Archdeacon Rutter, made their appearance, and were equally pleased.
“We knew that a shot had struck this part of the building, and feared mischief,” said Major Farrington. “But since your ladyship is safe all is well.”
“I had no such fear, madam,” observed Archdeacon Rutter. “I felt sure Heaven would protect you.”
“The engineer who fired that shot will never fire another,” said Standish. “He was killed next moment by our marksmen, and his place has not yet been taken, as is evident by the silence of the culverin.”
“It may be well that your ladyship should show yourself,” said Major Farrington. “Fears are entertained for your safety.”
“I will go down at once,” replied the countess.
“I must perforce change my lodging till that window is repaired, but the enemy shall not drive me from my room.”