Officers and men, and all within the castle, were eager to welcome their victorious lord and the prince, but some delay occurred that had not been anticipated.
Noon arrived, but no signal came from the sentinel on the Eagle Tower to announce that the party was in sight. Another quarter of an hour elapsed, and it was still the same.
As time went on the men grew impatient, and the countess herself began to feel uneasy, and spoke to Standish, who instantly volunteered to ride forth and ascertain, if he could, the cause of the delay.
Just then, however, a joyous shout was heard without, announcing that the party could be descried.
An extraordinary agitation then pervaded the entire garrison, and it continued till the bruit of trumpets proclaimed the approach of Lord Derby and the prince.
A response was instantly given from the towers and battlements of the gateway, and amid the thunder of artillery, that drowned the shouts of the soldiers, the prince and the earl rode into the court.
They were preceded by a troop of lancers, and followed by a dozen Cavaliers, whose accoutrements were almost as superb as those of Rupert himself, and who were equally well mounted. These formed the prince’s guard of honour. Behind them came another troop of lancers.
The musketeers were now drawn up in double line, and as the earl and his guest passed through their ranks the court resounded with acclamations.
Alighting first, Lord Derby held the prince’s bridle, while the latter dismounted. Major Farrington then came forward, and bidding Prince Rupert welcome in the countess’s name, besought permission to conduct his highness to the presence-chamber, where he would find her ladyship.
The vast chamber to which the prince was ushered through a crowd of attendants, really presented a very striking appearance, being hung round by the colours just taken at Bolton, and adorned by some other trophies won from the enemy during the siege.
At the further end of the room, in a chair of state, sat Lady Derby, surrounded by her daughters, her chaplains, and her officers—the latter being in their full accoutrements. She was very richly attired, but had no diamonds to display.
As the prince drew near she arose, and advancing to meet him, made him a profound reverence.
“Nay, madam,” said Rupert taking her hand, and pressing it to his lips, “this ceremony is unneeded. I care not for show.”
“But I desire to do your highness honour,” she rejoined. “I wish to evince my gratitude. You have succoured me, and punished my enemies.”
“Your enemies were beaten before I arrived,” said the prince. “And they have been punished by your husband not by me. Lord Derby was first to enter Bolton, and the work of vengeance was half performed ere I took part in it.”
“Your highness gives me far more credit than is my due,” said the earl. “Undoubtedly, I did my best, and had I not succeeded in the assault, I should not now be here. But what are my achievements compared with those of my heroic wife?”
“Ay, my lord, you may well be proud of her,” said Rupert. “No other woman in England could have braved such a general as Fairfax. I will not speak of Rigby and the others, though they were formidable.”
“I am sorry Rigby has escaped,” observed the countess. “He will always be an enemy.”
“I will have him yet,” said the earl. “But let us not mar our victory by other thoughts.”
Tenderly embracing his children, he exchanged cordial greetings with Don Fortunio and his daughter, and with the chaplains.
Meanwhile, the officers composing the prince’s body-guard had been conducted to the great banqueting-hall, where an excellent repast was set before them, and they were still partaking of it when the party came forth from the presence-chamber.
All arose, and raising their glasses, drank to the noble Lady of Lathom.
Prince Rupert having expressed a desire to examine the state of the fortress, he was conducted over it by the Earl of Derby and the countess, attended by Major Farrington, Standish, and some other officers.
Mounting to the ramparts, the prince carefully examined the enemy’s entrenchments and batteries, and then said to the countess: