“I pray you do so, my lord,” said the queen.
Having conducted her majesty to the countess, the earl proceeded to his cabinet, taking with him Doctor Rutter, to whom he imparted his design.
“Shall I send Frank Standish, or Captain Bootle on the errand?” remarked the earl. “Give me your advice, Rutter?”
“Captain Bootle, I think, will be the best, my lord,” rejoined the chaplain. “He is more cautious than Standish, and will run no needless risk. Besides, Standish is well known to the Manchester Roundheads, and would be recognised if he chanced to encounter any of them.”
“You are right,” replied the earl. “It would not be prudent to send him. While I write to Sir Alexander Radcliffe, go fetch Captain Bootle, and explain the business to him.”
While Rutter went in quest of the messenger, Lord Derby sat down at a table on which writing materials were laid, and had just finished his letter, when the chaplain returned with Bootle.
Captain Bootle’s looks seemed scarcely to warrant the confidence placed in him by the earl and Doctor Rutter, for there was something sinister in the expression of his countenance, caused by a slight obliquity of vision, but he was brave and active, and esteemed a staunch Royalist. He was fully accoutred in breastplate and helmet, and his stout riding-boots were drawn above the knee. Besides the long sword by his side he had pistols in his belt.
“Has Doctor Rutter explained why I have sent for you, Captain Bootle?” said the earl.
“Ay, my lord,” replied the other. “You desire me to take a letter to Sir Alexander Radcliffe of Ordsall Hall, and to bring back a large sum of money.”
“There is much risk in the expedition,” observed the earl. “Take a strong guard with you.”
“If I take a strong guard, my lord, I shall probably be attacked, and may be plundered,” said Bootle. “I would rather go alone; I can reach the hall then unobserved.”
“As you will,” said the earl. “But mind, you will incur a great responsibility.”
“I believe it to be the safest course,” remarked Rutter.
“I am sure it is,” said Bootle.
The earl did not seem altogether satisfied, but he gave him the letter, adding, “Set out at once, and use all the despatch you can. Sir Alexander will furnish you with another horse, and if he deems it needful, will send a guard with you.”
Captain Bootle bowed and withdrew.
In less than a quarter of an hour afterwards, he had quitted the hall, and was speeding in the direction of Wigan, whither it was supposed he had been sent, for none, save those concerned in it, were aware of the real nature of his errand.
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III
What the Queen beheld from the Eagle Tower
As it was now known that the queen intended to remain at Lathom till the following day, arrangements were immediately made for the accommodation of her majesty and her suite.
This was accomplished without the slightest difficulty, since there were an immense number of rooms in the mansion, as will readily be understood, when we mention that more than two hundred guests with their attendants had often been lodged within it.
To the queen was assigned a noble apartment in the grand gallery, the walls of which were hung with the choicest arras, while the bedstead presented a magnificent specimen of carved oak. Amid the painted glass of the bay window was a portrait of the Countess of Richmond, mother of Henry the Seventh. Scarcely inferior were the rooms allotted to the principal personages in attendance upon her majesty.
As we have said, the apartments were truly regal, Henry the Seventh’s palace at Shene being modelled upon Lathom. Even the queen was struck with the princely character of the mansion. As to her majesty’s guard, they had no reason to complain of their quarters.
After a plentiful repast had been served in the great banqueting-hall, the queen inspected the garrison. Except the musketeers and artillerymen on the walls, the whole of the men, fully armed and accoutred, and having an officer at the head of each company, were drawn up in the court-yard, and presented a very imposing sight. Accustomed to such displays, the queen was able to judge of their efficiency.