“The countess will be enchanted,” said the earl. “But suitable preparation can scarce be made for your highness by to-morrow.”
“No preparation need be made for me,” said the prince, “My cousin’s welcome will suffice.”
Well knowing the prince’s humour, Lord Derby said no more on the subject, but bade Standish prepare for instant departure; and Prince Rupert enjoined him to take a strong guard lest he should be robbed of the colours.
“Take the party of dragoons you have just brought back with you from the pursuit of Rigby,” said the prince.
Proud of his errand, yet fearful of losing the flags, which he committed to the care of the stoutest men in the troop, Standish departed.
After the dreadful scenes he had recently wit-nessed, and knew were still being enacted in the town, he was not sorry to leave Bolton behind.
Speeding across the moor he soon reached Lostock, and found the place abandoned.
From Lostock Standish took his way across the country to Haigh, and thence to Wrightington, and he was close upon Newburgh, when he saw a horseman coming towards him, whom even at a distance he recognised as Rosworm.
On seeing the party of dragoons, Rosworm would have galloped off, but a shout from Standish checked him, and he waited tranquilly till the young man came up. A brief colloquy then took place between them—being so conducted that it could not be overheard by the troopers, who had likewise halted.
“I can give you a good account of your friends,” said Rosworm. “I have just left them at Lathom House. The journey there was not difficult, since I was fortunately able to procure horses for them at Great Lever.”
“Why did you not remain at Lathom as I advised?” asked Standish.
“I had reasons for not doing so,” replied Ros-worm. “I am now going to Wigan. But what has happened to Bolton?”
“Bolton has fallen,” replied Standish. “Hundreds have been slain, but Rigby has escaped to Bury.”
“Lathom has proved unlucky to him in every way,” observed Rosworm. “He gained nothing during the siege, and now he has lost all at Bolton.”
“I should have been satisfied if we had slain him,” said Standish. “But he lives to do us more mischief.”
“Not much, I think,” said Rosworm. “But I must be gone. Night is at hand. Farewell for ever! It is not likely we shall meet again.”
“Wherefore not?” demanded Standish.
“I shall leave this country,” replied Rosworm. “I am sick of the war.”
“If you had seen Bolton to-day you would have had enough of it,” observed Standish, in a sombre voice.
“I am glad I had left before the second assault began,” said Rosworm. “But I have another reason for leaving this country. My daughter has warned me to return to my native land. I have seen her twice.”
“You fancy so.”
“I am sure of it. I shall obey. Again, farewell!”
No more passed between them.
Rosworm rode off, and Standish proceeded to Lathom House, which was not much more than a mile distant.
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VII
How the Colours taken at Bolton were presented to the Countess
NEWS had reached the countess and the officers of the garrison that Prince Rupert and the earl had been repulsed, and though they did not credit the rumour, it caused them great uneasiness.
Their delight may therefore be imagined when Standish arrived and announced that Bolton had been taken on the second assault.
But when the dragoons rode into the court carrying the colours of the enemy—colours they instantly recognised—their enthusiasm knew no bounds.
The good news was instantly conveyed to the countess by Major Farrington, who told her that Bolton had been taken, and that both Prince Rupert and Lord Derby were unhurt.
For once the heroic lady’s firmness forsook her. She who had so often faced danger unmoved, and had borne so many trials with unshaken constancy, now felt ready to sink. But by a great effort she regained her self-possession, and observed to Major Farrington:
“You say Captain Standish has brought this good news. Why does he not come to me himself?”
“He brings your ladyship a present from Prince Rupert, and desires to deliver it to you before the garrison.”
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