“Welcome! thrice welcome! gracious madam,” he cried, bending the knee before her. “Lathom is greatly honoured by this unlooked-for visit. Could I have anticipated it, I would have made every preparation for your reception! But I frankly own I did not expect to find your majesty here.”
“Nor had I any such intention when I left York, my lord,” she replied, praying him to rise. “I will explain the object of my visit anon. For a time I place myself under your care, knowing I shall be well guarded by the loyal Earl of Derby,”
“Your majesty is as safe here as you were at York,” replied the earl. “Deign to enter the house.”
Then bowing haughtily to the Lords Goring and Jermyn, he conducted her majesty towards the entrance of the house, preceded by the major-domo and the ushers—a large retinue of servants having ranged themselves on either side of the steps.
Seeing that the queen desired to confer with him in private, Lord Derby led her to the lower end of the presence-chamber.
No one followed them. All the courtiers and Royalist gentlemen remained with the countess, in the centre of the large apartment.
“Madam,” said the earl, “I am prepared to listen to aught your majesty may have to say to me.”
“My lord,” said the queen, after a brief pause, “I am aware that your loyalty has been heavily taxed, and very inadequately rewarded—but I must put it to a further test.”
“Hesitate not to command me, madam. Aught I can do for his majesty and yourself shall be done.”
“You have, indeed, a noble and a generous heart, my lord,” said the queen. “I was told you deeply resented some supposed injuries done you, and attributed them to my influence with the king. But I resolved to trust you. I am here—in your stronghold. Were you the traitor your enemies would have me believe, you could deliver me up, and make your own terms with the Parliament.”
“Those who have charged me with treasonable designs have belied me, madam,” rejoined the earl, with difficulty controlling himself, and speaking with forced calmness. “This is not the moment to call them to account, but the time will come when I will force them to confess the falsehood. I will make no idle professions of loyalty. My acts speak for themselves. But thus much I will say—I am ready to sacrifice my life for the king, and all my possessions are at his majesty’s disposal. With such feelings could I prove faithless to your majesty?”
“No, my lord,” replied the queen, emphatically; “nor did I ever suspect you of treachery. But let us dismiss this matter. I have come to you for aid, and I do not think you will refuse it me.”
“Assuredly not, madam,” said the earl; “you shall have all the aid I can give you, either in men or money.”
“It is the latter that I want, my lord,” rejoined the queen. “The king’s necessities are very great—greater even than you imagine. Your lordship is aware that I sold all my jewels and plate in Holland, and though a very large sum was raised by this sacrifice—for sacrifice it was—more—much more—is needed.”
“My coffers are not so well filled as I could desire, madam,” replied the earl. “But all I have is yours.”
“With how much can you supply me, my lord?”
“Not more than a thousand pounds, madam,” he replied.
“Cannot a larger sum be borrowed?” she cried with a look of deep disappointment.
“I may, perhaps, be able to obtain two or three thousand more from Sir Alexander Radcliffe of Ordsall Hall, near Manchester,” replied the earl. “If your majesty can remain here till to-morrow, I will send off a trusty messenger to him forthwith.”
“The matter is so important to the king, my lord, that I must needs wait,” said the queen. “But cannot Lord Molineux aid us?”
“I fear not,” he replied. “The Lancashire, Royalists have no funds.”
“’T is everywhere the same,” said the queen. “The two noblemen with me, and Sir Edward Dering, have nothing, or next to nothing.”
“I will speak to Sir John Girlington and Sir Thomas Tyldesley presently,” said the earl. “But with your majesty’s permission I will first send off the messenger to Ordsall.”