After bringing this youth into the royal presence, Standish would have retired, but the queen signed to him to stay.
“Attempt not to deceive me,” she said to the new-corner, “you are not what you seem.”
“Pardon me, I pray your majesty, for appearing before you in this disguise,” said Gertrude, for it was she. “I required it to come hither. I am the daughter of Colonel Rosworm, but I am a Royalist at heart, as I hope to prove. A plot has been contrived in Manchester against your majesty, and I have come hither—at some hazard to myself—to warn you of it.”
“I thank you for your zeal,” replied the queen. “But I am at a loss to understand how such a plot can have originated.”
“Your majesty’s movements are better known than you imagine,” said Gertrude. “It is known to Colonel Holland and some of the Manchester garrison that your majesty is staying at Lathom, and an attempt will be made to capture you. An ambuscade will be formed into which it is hoped you may fall when you quit the castle. Fearing the design might prove successful, I have come to warn you of it.”
“I thank you heartily for the great service rendered me,” said the queen, “and will requite it. How can Colonel Holland have obtained this information?” she added, to Lord Derby. “’Tis certain we have been betrayed. But by whom? My own suspicions alight on Captain Bootle.”
“I cannot believe him capable of such villainy,” said the earl. “But he shall at once be placed under arrest. Your majesty can then interrogate him. See it done!” he added to Standish, who forthwith departed on the errand.
“But for this unlooked-for and untoward incident,” said the earl, “I would have sent a second messenger to Ordsall; but it would not be prudent to do so, since he might fall into the hands of the enemy.”
“Trouble yourself no more about the matter, my lord,” said the queen. “But I shall now need an additional guard to Warrington.”
“I will attend your majesty myself with a strong guard,” said the earl. “I do not think the enemy will venture to attack us.”
At this juncture, Frank Standish returned. But he brought no prisoner with him.
“Where is Captain Bootle?” demanded the earl.
“He has fled, my lord,” replied Standish.
“Fled!” ejaculated the earl. “That proclaims his guilt.”
“The arrival of this disguised damsel seems to have alarmed him,” said Standish. “Feeling sure that a discovery must take place, he mounted his horse, and quitted the castle.”
“But why was he suffered to depart?” cried the earl, angrily.
“No suspicions were entertained of him, my lord,” replied Standish. “Besides, he declared he was sent with a pressing message by your lordship.”
“I will hang the false traitor if I catch him!” cried the earl.
“No doubt he has gone to join Colonel Holland and the rebels, and will direct their design,” said the queen.
“A plan occurs to me by which this design might be effectually defeated,” said Standish. “I know not if your majesty will approve of the plan, but with your permission I will mention it.”
“Let us hear it,” said the queen.
“This damsel must play a part in it,” rejoined Standish. “Nay, she must personate your majesty.”
“Personate me!” exclaimed the queen.
“The success of the scheme depends upon the disguise, gracious madam,” said Standish. “With a small party of horse, and accompanied by this damsel—disguised as I have ventured to suggest—I will undertake to lure Colonel Holland and his men from their ambuscade, and it shall not be my fault if they have not a long chase, and in a wrong direction.”
“The scheme promises well,” remarked the queen. “But how say you, fair maiden?” she added to Gertrude. “Are you willing to take part in it?”
“Nothing would please me better, madam,” was the eager reply,
“Then be it so,” said the queen.
“The plan cannot be carried out with any chance of success till night,” said the Earl of Derby, who had listened to Standish’s proposition in silence. “Is your majesty content to remain here till then?”
“I do not care for the delay,” she rejoined. “But I must inform my council of my design.”