“Rigby has utterly failed,” he said. “He has battered the walls, knocked down a turret, and hit the Eagle Tower, but he has done us no real harm.”
“How many soldiers have you lost?” demanded the prince.
“Not half a dozen, your highness,” replied Standish. “But upwards of five hundred of the enemy have been slain.”
Rupert smiled at the earl, but made no remark.
Meanwhile, access had been given to the castle through a breach in the fortifications, and a portion of the ditch had likewise been levelled.
The drawbridge was lowered, and the gates thrown wide open, and as the prince and the earl rode into the court-yard, which resounded with the loud and joyous shouts of the musketeers, they were met by Major Farrington and the officers of the garrison.
But Lord Derby did not linger there. The countess and her daughters had just come forth, and on beholding them he sprang from his steed, and hurrying forward clasped them in his arms.
Not to interrupt this joyous meeting, the prince remained for a few minutes in converse with Major Farrington. He then dismounted, and tendered his homage and congratulations to the countess, and in no measured terms.
“I am no flatterer as you are well aware, cousin,” he said, “but a rude soldier, and you will therefore believe me when I say that I do not think there is another woman in England—nay, for that matter, not a man—who could have defended this castle for so long a period against such a beleaguering force, as you have done. I am proud of you, cousin—very proud—and well I may be of my near relationship to the most heroic lady of her day.”
“You praise me overmuch, cousin,” replied the countess, much gratified. “But I thank you nevertheless.”
“If you are proud of her, prince, what must I be, who can call her wife?” said Lord Derby. “Had I not known her intrepidity and skill I should not have left her here. But she has more than justified my confidence.”
“Without your positive orders, my dear lord, I would never have capitulated, and this I told the messengers sent me by the enemy,” said the countess. “And had not you, prince, come to my deliverance, I would have perished here with my children and soldiers. Such was my fixed determination. I thank you from my heart for what you have done.”
“Nay, I have done nothing,” rejoined Rupert. “It has not been needful to strike a blow. The enemy have fled.”
“The terror of your name has driven them hence,” said the countess.
“But they are not beyond my reach,” said the prince, sternly. “They have fled, but I shall catch them. I have sworn to avenge your wrongs, cousin, and I will keep my word. I will exterminate Rigby and his host.”
“Rigby does not deserve mercy,” said the countess. “He is a traitor and a robber. Whither is he gone?”
“To Bolton,” replied the earl. “There we shall follow him, so we must now bid you adieu.”
“This is indeed a brief visit,” she said.
“But we shall speedily return,” said the earl.
“Will not your highness enter the house, and drink a cup of wine?” said the countess.
“I will drink no wine till I have taken Bolton, and slain Rigby,” rejoined Rupert. “Ere many days, you shall see us again, if all goes well. And then I will feast with you, and rejoice. Farewell, dear cousin!”
While the prince mounted his charger, and rode slowly through the gateway bowing to Major Farrington, and the officers, Lord Derby lingered for a moment to embrace his wife and daughters, and shook hands heartily with Archdeacon Rutter and the other chaplains.
He then vaulted into the saddle, and followed the prince amid reiterated shouts from the musketeers.
Gladly would they have accompanied their lord to Bolton. Gladly would the officers have gone with him. But the earl had sufficient force, and would not reduce the strength of the garrison till the enemy was vanquished.
All therefore were left behind except Standish and his little troop, who had the enviable privilege of attending their lord.
As the earl looked back at the castle, and thought of all that had happened since he last beheld it, he breathed a prayer to Heaven for its marvellous preservation.
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