“Duty has the first claim upon me, dearest,” he rejoined. “I must obey her call.”
“Yes, I have no right to complain. But it will be very—very hard to lose you.” Then controlling her emotion, she added, “When do you expect the Earl of Derby?”
“I know not,” he rejoined. “He may arrive at any moment. No doubt he will come secretly.”
“And take you with him when he does come.”
“It may be so. I cannot tell. It is not likely I shall remain here.”
“Then you give me no hope?”
“Alas! no. My own idea is that his lordship has some important task for me to execute, and that I must set about it forthwith.”
Their discourse was here interrupted by Don Fortunio, who had entered the hall unnoticed by either of them, and now coughed slightly to announce his presence. He expressed the greatest pleasure at beholding Standish, and inquired anxiously after the countess, and how the siege progressed.
“I hope she still defies her enemies,” he said.
“Resolutely as ever,” replied Standish. “They have not relaxed in their efforts, but all those engaged in its defence believe that Lathom House will never be taken.”
“I joy to hear you say so,” cried Don Fortunio.
“The Earl of Derby will speedily raise the siege—of that you may feel certain,” remarked Standish. “The countess has endured much, but I trust the worst is over.”
“Her losses, I am told, have been slight compared with those of the enemy?” observed Don Fortunio.
“True,” replied Standish. “But we have just had one loss that has afflicted the whole garrison. Gertrude Rosworm has been killed.”
“What do I hear?” cried Engracia. “Gertrude Rosworm killed! But I wonder not. She ever exposed herself to danger.”
“Her end was heroic. She saved the countess from an assassin,” said Standish.
“Truly, that was an heroic death,” exclaimed Don Fortunio.
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XXXI
How the Jewels were sold to Simon Ophir, the Liverpool Jew
BREAKFAST was finished, but the little party were still seated at the table, when Randal, who had attended upon them during the meal, suddenly disappeared, but returned in a few minutes, and signified to Standish that he had something to say to him in private.
Upon this, the young man arose, and bowing to his friends, followed the steward out of the hall.
“Be pleased to come with me to my lord’s cabinet,” said Randal, leading the way in that direction.
“Wherefore thither?” demanded Standish, struck by his manner. “Do you expect his lordship? Is he here?”
The steward, however, made no reply, but on reaching the cabinet, opened the door, and admitted him.
Two persons were in the chamber.
One of them was the Earl of Derby himself. He had evidently ridden far, and had just dismounted, having hastily taken off his mantle, and thrown his feathered hat on the table. He looked somewhat haggard, and scarcely greeted Standish as he entered the chamber.
With him was an elderly personage, who from his aspect might have been taken for a Puritan. His features were sharp and intelligent, and his eyes keen. He was enveloped in a loose gown fastened at the neck, that concealed the rest of his costume, and had not removed his steeple-crowned hat.
Beside him on the table were two large leather bags, which Standish felt sure contained money. The earl did not mention the name of this personage, and treated him with great hauteur.
“Have you brought the jewels with you?” was the earl’s first inquiry of Standish.
“I have, my lord,” he replied, producing the cases.
Lord Derby handed them to the stranger, whose keen eyes glistened as he carefully inspected their contents.
The examination took some time, during which not a word was spoken, but the earl and Standish exchanged significant glances. The young man had seen an Israelite money lender in Liverpool, named Simon Ophir, who had grown rich by the necessities of Cavaliers. He suspected this to be the person, and he was right in his surmise.
“Are you satisfied?” said the earl, when the usurer had finished his inspection.
“Yes, they are fine jewels, no doubt,” replied Ophir. “But if I give three thousand pounds for them, I shall gain very little by the transaction.”