Could it be Standish? He watched the newcomer anxiously, and felt convinced he was right in the supposition. Quitting the watch-tower, he hastened towards the gate by which the new-comers would have to enter the town, but long before he reached it, Standish had obtained admittance.
On descrying the earl, the young man flung himself from his steed, and giving the bridle to one of his followers, hurried forward. Lord Derby instantly perceived from his looks that he brought bad news, and inquired:
“Have you seen Prince Rupert?”
“I have, my lord,” replied Standish; “and I bring a letter from his highness to my noble lady the countess.”
“Is it favourable?” cried the earl. “Will the prince come to us?—will he bring, or send assistance?”
“He cannot, my lord,” replied Standish. “The king will not allow him. I represented your lordship’s position exactly to his highness, and he sees your peril; but he cannot help you.”
“Then all is lost!” cried the earl, in a voice of anguish. “All the sacrifices I have made are useless. You see that this town has been burnt. It was destroyed to save it from the rebels; but it will now fall into their hands.”
“I trust not, my lord,” said Standish. “I have a message for you from the prince.”
“What says he?” cried the earl.
“He counsels your lordship to retire to the Isle of Man, and remain there till better days arrive.”
“He is right,” said the earl. “I shall find a safe refuge there. Come with me to Colonel Norris.”
Proceeding to a large house near the bridge, they found the governor of the town.
“Captain Standish has just returned from Oxford, and brings me bad news,” said the earl. “There is no hope of assistance.”
“Then it will be useless to hold out,” observed the governor.
“Quite useless,” rejoined the earl. “Hoist the white flag, and make the best terms you can with the enemy. My own intention is to retire to the Isle of Man, and there abide my time. To-night I shall go to Lathom, and bid farewell to the countess.”
“Will you not take her ladyship with you to Castle Rushen?” asked Colonel Norris.
“She would refuse to accompany me,” replied the earl. “But I have no fear for her safety. She has a strong castle, and a strong garrison, and can defend herself. Ride on to Lathom, Frank,” he added to Standish, “and deliver Prince Rupert’s letter to the countess. Tell her that Warrington must be surrendered. Acquaint her with my resolve, and say I will be with her before midnight to bid her farewell.”
“I will, my lord,” replied Standish.
As the earl evidently wished to confer with the governor, Standish left them together.
The young man remained for an hour at Warrington to rest his horses and men, and then, after receiving the earl’s final commands, set out for Lathom, where he arrived in safety, and delivered the missive to the countess, informing her at the same time that Warrington was about to be surrendered by the governor.
Whatever the countess felt on perusing Prince Rupert’s letter, and however distressed she might be by the tidings brought her, and her lord’s determination to return to the Isle of Man, she said nothing at the time, but withdrew to her own chamber.
When she had quite regained her composure, she sent for Doctor Rutter, and passed some time in consultation with him.
After this, attended by the chaplain and Standish, she inspected the garrison, examined the stores, and made it understood by all the officers that they must prepare for a siege. They all displayed the utmost zeal.
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VIII
How the Earl took his Departure for the Isle of Man
MIDNIGHT came, but the earl had not arrived, and the countess began to feel some little uneasiness, and this greatly increased when another hour had passed by.
Suddenly, Standish entered to announce that her lord had arrived, and the next moment the earl made his appearance, and clasped her to his breast.
“I have come to bid you adieu!” he said, regarding her tenderly. “Do you approve of my resolution?”
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