The Leaguer of Lathom by W. Harrison Ainsworth

Ere many minutes his lordship overtook Standish, and the party under his charge, and halted to speak to them.

Addressing Don Fortunio, he said: “You will scarce find a refuge for your daughter in this wild and disturbed region. I therefore propose that you should take her to my mansion, Lathom House, where the countess will give her welcome, and where you can both tarry, as long as you think proper.”

“I am greatly beholden to your lordship,” replied Don Fortunio. “But how am I to get to Lathom House? I am an entire stranger to the country, and, besides, I have no horses.”

“Let not that concern you, señor,” said the earl. “Horses shall be supplied you, and Captain Standish, with a guard, shall accompany you to my castle.”

“Truly, your lordship is a great peer, and report has not exaggerated your princely hospitality,” said Don Fortunio, bowing deeply.

Engracia, also, expressed her thanks—but more by looks than words.

Standish could not conceal his satisfaction at an arrangement so entirely consonant to his wishes.

Lord Derby then rode on to Rossall, and the others followed.

On reaching the hall, they found that his lordship had already given the necessary orders, and a couple of horses provided with pillions were quickly brought out.

On one of these Engracia was seated behind her father, while a stalwart trooper took charge of Maria.

A guard of half a dozen men was likewise in attendance.

While taking leave of Don Fortunio and his daughter, and wishing them a safe journey, Lord Derby expressed a hope that he should find them at Lathom when he returned thither.

“Though when that will be, Heaven only knows!” he added, with a melancholy smile. “I have much to do, and my enemies will not be easily overcome. Adieu! To our next meeting!”

“Adieu! my lord,” said Don Fortunio. “Never shall we forget your kindness!”

When Standish came to receive the earl’s last commands, his lordship said to him in a low tone:

“To-morrow I shall march to Lancaster. You will find me there. Commend Don Fortunio and his daughter to the countess.”

“I will not fail, my lord,” replied the young man. “I trust to rejoin your lordship ere you reach Lancaster.”

He then sprang to the saddle, and putting himself at the head of the little party rode off.

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III

Engracia

For a mile or so their course lay along the banks of the Wyre Water—a bare and desolate region.

They then struck off towards Poulton-in-the-Fylde, and Standish seized the opportunity of joining the fair Spaniard, whose appearance on horseback had quite enchanted him.

Seated behind her father, as we have described, she looked far better than an English damsel would have done under similar circumstances. But she was greatly aided by her costume. The mantilla covering her jetty tresses, the dark silk dress that so well displayed her symmetrical figure and permitted her small feet to be seen, and the fan she managed so well—all contributed materially to her attractions, and certainly produced an effect upon Standish.

For some little time he rode by her side, and during that interval, he unaccountably slackened his pace. As Don Fortunio rarely made a remark, or looked back at them, they might almost have been alone. What they talked about it is scarcely worth while to inquire, but both seemed interested, and the fair señorita’s dark eyes were occasionally cast down and her fan agitated.

Maria, who watched them from her post behind the trooper, came to the conclusion that they had fallen in love with each other, and she was not far wrong.

While passing through Poulton, almost all the inhabitants of which were Romanists and Royalists, many of the villagers came forth to gaze at the foreigners, and seemed wonder-struck by Engracia’s picturesque attire and extraordinary beauty. A like sensation was produced at Great Singleton, Wharles, and Treales.

At the latter place, the good folks were informed by a Romish priest that the Spaniards belonged to their own religion, and, in consequence, Don Fortunio was treated with great respect.

Hitherto, they had met with no interruption. Occasionally they overtook a party of billmen or clubmen, but all these stout fellows were going to join the Royalist force at Kirkham, and on beholding Standish and his troop, they shouted “God bless the king and the Earl of Derby!”