The Leaguer of Lathom by W. Harrison Ainsworth

Despite the constant anxiety she had recently experienced, Queen Henrietta Maria looked remarkably well. Possessing great courage and spirit, she never succumbed to difficulties and dangers. Her personal charms were still unimpaired, her fine black eyes being brilliant as ever, and her tresses as dark and lustrous as when she first met her royal husband. Her features had lost none of their beauty. Though not tall, the queen was perfectly proportioned, and remarkable for grace.

Her majesty wore a riding dress of green velvet embroidered with gold, and a broad-leaved Spanish hat, with a white plume, secured by a diamond buckle.

As the countess approached, she advanced to meet her, and prevented her from making an obeisance—professing herself delighted to see her and her daughters.

The discourse that took place between her majesty and Lady Derby was conducted in French.

“You are right welcome to Lathom, gracious madam,” said the countess. “In my noble husband’s name, I place the castle, and all within it—men, munitions, and stores—at your entire disposal. Your majesty has only to give your orders and they will be obeyed.”

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart, dearest countess,” replied the queen, very much touched. “I know your devotion to the king and myself, and should feel perfectly secure at Lathom, which I now find is quite as strong as it has been represented to me, but I do not propose to stay here long. I am on the way to Chester, and shall proceed thence to Oxford to join the king. My object in coming here was to consult the Earl of Derby, but I find he is absent.”

“His lordship is momently expected from Wigan, gracious madam,” replied the countess. “But I will at once despatch a messenger to him on a fleet horse to acquaint him with your arrival.”

“Since you expect him that is sufficient,” said the queen. “I can wait. I shall be glad to pass a short time with you and your fair daughters. How well they are looking,” she added, smiling graciously upon them, and embracing each in turn.

“Do you know that you are my goddaughter?” she remarked to the eldest.

“Indeed I do. I am very proud of being named after your majesty,” replied Henriette, blushing deeply.

“I have not much to offer you, mignonne, for I have sold all my jewels to help the king. But I pray you wear this ring for my sake.”

And as she spoke she took off a ring and placed it on Henriette’s finger.

“I will never part with it, gracious madam,” said the noble damsel, delighted.

While this was passing, the countess addressed Lord Goring, Lord Jermyn, Sir Edward Dering, and the rest of the queen’s attendants, and bade them welcome with the refined courtesy she knew so well how to practise.

All the Cavaliers were splendidly accoutred, and made a very gallant show in their glittering cuirasses, richly embroidered baldricks, scarves, and plumed hats.

As we have said, the two nobles were accounted the handsomest men belonging to the Court, and were especial favourites of the queen.

Lord Derby believed they were secretly hostile to him, and though the countess entertained the same impression, she did not allow it to influence her reception of them.

At this juncture the major-domo, with two yeomen-ushers, all three bearing white wands, came up, for the purpose of conducting her majesty to the house, and the queen was about to proceed thither, when an interruption occurred. Trumpets were blown from the summit of the gate-house, announcing the Earl of Derby’s return, and, on hearing these sounds, the queen remained stationary.

Immediately afterwards the great gates were thrown open, and the earl, with Lord Molineux, Sir Thomas Tyldesley, Sir John Girlington, and closely attended by Captain Standish, rode into the court, followed by a large troop of horse. Loud shouts at the same time arose from the garrison, who were rejoiced to behold their lord again.

Great was Lord Derby’s surprise when he found the place occupied as we have described; but the moment he learnt that the queen was present, he flung himself from the saddle, and made his way to the spot where she was standing, followed by Lord Molineux and the others.