At Tulketh Hall, near Ashton—originally a monastic establishment—the owner of which was a Papist, a brief halt was made, and the Spaniards were very hospitably received.
But Engracia was best pleased by being taken to the domestic chapel by the priest, who resided in the house, and enabled to offer up her prayers to the Virgin.
From Tulketh Hall, half a dozen armed men accompanied the party to the ford across the Ribble—some apprehensions being entertained that a guard had been placed there by the rebel garrison at Preston. However, the report proved unfounded, and they got safe to Penwortham.
Frank Standish had now no misgivings, and would willingly have loitered on the road. But this could not be. On the contrary, he was obliged to push on, in order to make up for lost time.
At the bridge across the Douglas near Tarleton, he perceived three or four Roundhead soldiers, and prepared to attack them, but they galloped off before he came up. He subsequently learnt that they had plundered several farm-houses in the neighbourhood, and were carrying their spoil to Blackburn. This was the only danger to which they were exposed.
Thenceforward, so much expedition was used that in half an hour’s time the party came in sight of a large castellated mansion, surrounded by a wide moat, having a great gatehouse, turreted walls bristling with cannon, and a lofty square tower in the centre, above which floated a banner, bearing the motto—SANS CHANGER. Everything indicated that the place was a powerful stronghold.
No remark was made by Standish, but Don Fortunio and his daughter simultaneously exclaimed:
“That must be Lathom House.”
“You are right,” replied the young man, with a smile. “It is Lathom. What think you of it?”
“It is worthy of the Conde de Derby,” said Don Fortunio.
“It does not appear strange to me,” remarked Engracia. “I fancy I have seen it before.”
“Impossible, my child,” said Don Fortunio. “We have no castle like this in Spain.”
“Then I must have dreamed of it,” rejoined his daughter.
| Go to Table of Contents |
IV
How Don Fortunio and his Daughter were received by the Countess of Derby
As Standish and his troop were recognised by the guard, the gate was thrown open for their admittance, and the party rode in without delay.
The strangers caused as much sensation as they had done at different places during the journey. Officers and men turned out to gaze at the beautiful Spanish damsel.
As yet no news had been received of the destruction of the Dunquerque ship, so they could not comprehend whence she came, but they saw she was a lovely creature, and were glad she had found her way to Lathom.
Amongst the first to notice her was Gertrude Rosworm, who might have been as favourably impressed as the others, if Standish had appeared less attentive, while assisting the fair Spaniard.
From that moment an instinctive feeling of jealousy, for which she could scarcely account, was awakened in Gertrude’s bosom.
As to Engracia herself, she was lost in admiration of the mansion.
It chanced that at the time of the arrival of the strangers, the Countess of Derby was in the upper part of the court-yard with her daughters. She had been inspecting some soldiers, and was just about to return to the house, when the Lady Mary drew her attention to the singularity of Engracia’s costume, and she at once exclaimed:
“That must be a Spanish maiden.”
Next moment, Captain Standish came up, and hastily explained all that had occurred, concluding with Lord Derby’s message to her ladyship.
No sooner did she hear it than she desired that Don Fortunio and his daughter might be presented to her, and received them with great affability and kindness, saying, that as they had been so warmly commended to her by her lord, they were heartily welcome to Lathom. Don Fortunio was much struck by her stately presence and dignified manner, but Engracia felt a certain awe of the great lady.
However, she was charmed with the young ladies Stanley, and felt quite easy with them. They were equally well pleased with her, and thought her the loveliest creature they ever beheld.