“Your lordship has been correctly informed,” rejoined Rosworm.
“When this siege is ended, you will be free?” pursued the earl.
“I shall, my lord,” replied Rosworm.
“Then you can join with me?” said Lord Derby.
“The Manchester men might calumniate me, and say that I had been bought,” rejoined Rosworm.
“Heed them not!” cried Gertrude. “You will have fully discharged your engagement to them.”
“Not till then do I ask you to join me,” said the earl. “I recognise the honourable principles by which you are actuated.”
“My lord,” said Rosworm, “I am a mercenary soldier, but I am, also, a man of honour. If the Manchester men desire to retain me, I shall continue with them. If not, I will come to your lordship. I can make no other promise.”
“I must own that I am grievously disappointed,” observed the earl. “I persuaded myself you would be proud to serve the Countess of Derby.”
“The countess, I know, is one of the noblest ladies in the land,” rejoined Rosworm; “and her courage, I doubt not, is equal to her high rank—but I must abide by my engagement.”
“Enough!” cried the earl. “I deem your scruples idle—but will say no more. I am sorry on your account, fair damsel,” he added to Gertrude. “The countess would have been glad to have you with her.”
“And I should have been delighted to serve her ladyship,” cried Gertrude, eagerly.
“You shall do so, if your father will part with you,” said the earl.
“May I accept the offer, father?” cried Gertrude, imploringly.
“E’en as thou wilt,” rejoined Rosworm. “I will not hinder thee.”
“Then come to Lathom when this siege is ended,” said the earl. “Perchance, your father may bring you.”
“I hope so, my lord,” she replied.
“I make no promise,” said Rosworm. “But I repeat thou art free to do as thou wilt.”
“Are you in earnest, father?” she asked.
“Quite in earnest,” he replied. “You have my full consent to the step.”
“Then we shall expect you at Lathom ere long,” said the earl.
“I will come, my lord, joyfully,” she replied.
“My business here is done,” said the earl. “Colonl Rosworm, you must see me safely out of the town.”
“I will, my lord,” replied the other. “’Tis lucky the night is dark. But you had best pull your hat over your brows, and hide your face with your cloak, or you may be discovered. I am ready to attend your lordship,” he added, unbarring the door.
“Good-night, fair damsel,” said the earl. “Our next meeting will be at Lathom.”
And he quitted the house with Rosworm.
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XIX
How Rosworm got the Earl out of the Town
IT wanted but an hour of midnight as Rosworm and the earl sallied forth, and the street was almost deserted at that time.
Crossing the churchyard, they proceeded along Cateaton-street, and had reached Smithy Door, when they encountered a patrol. It consisted of a dozen men belonging to the town-guard, and was headed by Captain Cranage, who commanded them to halt in a loud authoritative tone.
Rosworm immediately gave the counter-sign, but Cranage did not appear entirely satisfied, and turning to Lord Derby demanded his name.
The earl made no reply, whereupon Rosworm interposed, and said:
“’T is sufficient he is with me.”
“I do not like his appearance,” said Cranage. “He must give an account of himself to the governor. Come with me,” he added to the earl.
Lord Derby, however, did not move, and the order being repeated, he put his hand to his sword.
The action did not pass unnoticed by Cranage, who ordered two of his men to seize him and bring him along.
“Off!” cried the earl, fiercely, as they advanced to execute the order. “You will touch me at your peril.”
Rosworm now deemed it necessary to interpose.
“Meddle not with him,” he said. “I will answer for him.”
“He has the appearance of a malignant,” said Cranage. “If he is a Parliamentarian he will not object to come before the governor.”
“It is needless, I tell you,” cried Rosworm. “I have already said I will answer for him. Would you set up your authority against mine? Stand aside, and let us pass.”