“Two months ago I could have crushed the rebellion in that county without difficulty, your highness,” replied the earl; “but now things are changed. Manchester and Bolton are both strongly fortified and well garrisoned.”
“I know it, my lord,” replied Prince Rupert. “But neither town can hold out long against you, if you are resolved to take it.”
“Manchester will make an obstinate resistance,” remarked the earl.
“If it should be so, put the whole garrison to the sword,” said the prince, sternly. “Spare none. Too much leniency has been shown the rebels. But you will receive your orders from the king. You will find Lord Molineux and Sir Thomas Tyldesley with him. I am going to Leicester. Farewell, my lord. Remember me, I pray you, to my cousin, the countess. I hope soon to hear you are master of Manchester.”
As Prince Rupert rode down the hill, Lord Derby and his followers, passed through the gateway of the castle.
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V
Charles the First
THE Earl of Derby expected to find the court thronged with musketeers and pike-men, but very few soldiers were to be seen. Half a dozen yeomen of the guard, bearing partisans, were stationed at the entrance to that part of the castle occupied by the king and his suite.
Having dismounted, the earl proceeded thither followed by Frank Standish, and was ceremoniously conducted by a groom of the chambers and some other officers of the household to the royal apartments.
Frank Standish remained in the guard-chamber, where several other persons were waiting, but the earl was at once taken to the king’s cabinet.
At a table covered with papers and despatches sat Charles. Why attempt to depict the features of the unfortunate monarch, since all are familiar with them, and can summon up his image at will? Suffice it to say, that although the king looked grave and melancholy, his countenance did not want the placidity that habitually characterised it.
His habiliments were of black velvet, and a falling band, deeply edged with lace, served to set off his noble head.
With the king were the two persons referred to by Prince Rupert—both of whom were friends of Lord Derby.
Viscount Molineux of Maryborough was a fine-looking young man, and had quite the air of a Cavalier. Sir Thomas Tyldesley of Mierscough Lodge, near Lancaster, and the representative of an old Lancashire family, was likewise a handsome man, but somewhat older and more robust than his companion. Both were accoutred in steel breastplates and tassets, and each had a long sword suspended from a baldrick.
As the Earl of Derby went to kiss the king’s hand, his majesty said earnestly:
“My lord, I thank you for coming to me now. I take it as a proof of your devotion.”
“Your majesty is well aware that I am ever ready to obey your behests,” replied the earl. “In staying to receive my father’s last sigh, I felt sure I should not incur your majesty’s displeasure.”
“I should have been sorry if you had done otherwise, my lord,” said Charles; “and if you had tarried to lay your father in the tomb, I should not have blamed you, however much I might regret your absence. I have urgent need of your services. The rebellion is making rapid progress in Lancashire, and must be checked. No one can accomplish this so effectually as yourself, since no one has such power and influence as you have in the county. I have been consulting with Lord Molineux and Sir Thomas Tyldesley, and they entirely agree with me that to your lordship alone ought the task to be entrusted.”
“Such is our opinion, sire,” observed Lord Molineux. “No one can raise so large a force in Lancashire as the Earl of Derby.”
“That is quite certain,” added Sir Thomas Tyldesley. “Your majesty will recollect that his lordship once raised sixty thousand men, and what has been done before may be done again.”
“Not now, Sir Thomas,” said the earl. “I doubt if a third of the number may be got together. Had your majesty deigned to follow my advice, and raised your standard at Warrington instead of here, at Nottingham, you would now have a large army. Instead of this, I fear that very few have responded to your proclamation.”