“Few, indeed,” said the king. “I have only three hundred infantry and some militia brought me by the Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.”
“Not more, sire?” exclaimed the earl, startled.
“At Leicester I have eight hundred horse,” pursued the king. “Prince Rupert has just been here, and urges me strongly to quit this castle, representing to me that I am in great danger from the Parliamentarian forces at Coventry. But I cannot retire from Nottingham.”
“I observe there is no cannon on the wall,” said Lord Derby. “Should an attack be made on the castle how can you resist it? I beseech your majesty to retire in time, or you may fall into the hands of the enemy. Lathom House is fortified, and would stand a siege. Take possession of it, sire. I will undertake to raise you two thousand foot and a thousand horse. With these you can hold out against the rebels till you can get together an army, and give them battle.”
“I have planted my standard at Nottingham,” replied the king; “and at Nottingham I will remain. I will not trust myself in Lancashire—unless at the head of an army, and it seems you cannot muster six thousand men.”
“The large force I had mustered has dwindled away,” said Lord Derby.
“Most of them have joined the rebels,” observed Lord Molineux.
The Earl of Derby looked grave.
“I have come here in obedience to your summons, sire,” he said. “How can I serve you?”
“I may ask more than your lordship can perform,” said the king. “My desire is, that you should crush the rebellion in Lancashire, and begin with Manchester. Can you do this?”
“I have every confidence that I can carry out your wishes, sire,” replied the earl. “But I doubt not the garrison at Manchester will be strongly reinforced by the Parliament. I may not, therefore, be able to accomplish the task as quickly as you expect. I believe the town is fully prepared for a siege.”
“Lord Molineux and Sir Thomas Tyldesley have just told me so, but I can scarcely credit it,” remarked the king.
“A German engineer, named Rosworm, has thoroughly fortified the town, sire,” said Sir Thomas Tyldesley.
“There will be this advantage in the siege, sire, that it will distract the attention of the enemy from Nottingham,” observed the Earl of Derby. “What I most dread is that your majesty should be attacked. Once more I beg you to let me bring you all the aid I can.”
“I will send to you, if it should be necessary,” said Charles. “Lord Southampton, Culpepper, and others of my council suggest that I should propose terms of peace in order to gain time—but I like not the plan.”
“‘Tis good advice, my liege,” rejoined the Earl of Derby. “Much may be done while the question is discussed, and if some successes are gained in Lancashire, the present posture of affairs may be wholly changed.”
“I will not revoke my proclamation, or lower my tone,” said the king.
“It is not necessary to do so, sire,” rejoined the earl. “But if the overtures of peace should be rejected by the Parliament, the indignation of the people will be roused, and troops will be more easily raised.”
“You convince me by your reasoning, my lord,” said Charles.
“And now I must pray your majesty to permit my immediate departure,” said the earl. “Since active measures are resolved upon, no time should be lost in putting them in execution. Ere long, I trust to give you a good account of my proceedings.”
“I am with you, my lord, unless his majesty has aught more to say to me,” observed Lord Molineux.
“And I,” added Sir Thomas Tyldesley. “I must not be absent when Manchester is to be besieged.”
“I am sorry to part with you, my lord,” said Charles. “But I will not detain you.”
With a profound reverence, Lord Derby quitted the cabinet followed by Lord Molineux, and Sir Thomas Tyldesley.
In the ante-chamber they found Frank Standish, who easily perceived from the earl’s looks that he was far from satisfied with his reception by the king; and the impression was confirmed when he learnt that Lord Derby intended to depart forthwith.