BETWEEN Lathom House and Ormskirk, in the midst of a wood, stood Burscough Priory—a large religious establishment that had been suffered to go to decay. But the ruins were very picturesque and beautiful, and contained many sculptured shrines and other monuments.
Rigby had heard of the priory, but had not seen it, and he now determined to inspect the ruins.
Taking with him half a dozen men, he sent the rest of his troops to Ormskirk, and rode through the wood to Burscough.
Resolved to examine the interior of the priory, he dismounted, and giving his horse to one of the troopers, he entered the ruins, but had not advanced far, when, to his surprise, he saw a grave-looking personage advancing towards him, who saluted him courteously.
A moment’s reflection convinced Rigby that this must be the Spanish gentleman who had been staying at Knowsley, and he therefore said to him sternly:
“If I mistake not, you are Don Fortunio Alava?”
The stranger replied in the affirmative, and added by way of explanation, though he could scarcely make himself understood, since he spoke English with difficulty:
“I have come hither with my daughter. She is praying at a shrine yonder. You will not disturb her?”
“This praying at shrines, and worshipping of images, is an abomination to me,” rejoined Rigby.
“But here—in this retired place—such prayers can offend no one,” protested Don Fortunio.
“They offend me,” said Rigby. “Doubtless you have come here from Lathom House?”
Don Fortunio replied in the affirmative.
“Then return thither forthwith,” said Rigby. “It is well for you that there is a truce with the countess, or I had made you a prisoner.”
“You are mistaken, Colonel Rigby,” said Standish, suddenly appearing from behind a monument, which had hitherto concealed him. “Don Fortunio Alava and his daughter are not unprotected.”
“They should have kept within Lathom House at this time,” said Rigby. “If they give my soldiers provocation I cannot be answerable for the consequences.”
“What provocation can they give your men?” demanded Standish.
“It is an offence to them that Papists should come here to pray,” said Rigby; “and they will not permit it. The Spaniards had best go back to Lathom House.”
“They are returning to Knowsley, whence they were forcibly taken by Captain Bootle,” said Standish.
“That cannot be permitted,” rejoined Rigby.
“You will not dispute this warrant from Sir Thomas Fairfax, colonel,” said Standish, taking a paper from his belt. “By it Don Antonio Alava and his daughter, with her attendant, are licensed to reside at Knowsley Hall.”
“Let me look at the warrant,” said Rigby.
After glancing at it he said, sternly:
“I am satisfied. You are at liberty to conduct them to Knowsley—but you yourself must return to Lathom.”
“Such is my intention,” replied Standish.
Upon this Rigby departed, and mounting his horse rode off with his men.
As soon as he was gone, Engracia and Maria made their appearance from another part of the ruins.
“Heaven be praised that dreadful man is gone!” cried Engracia. “I was afraid we should be made prisoners.”
“I have got a safe-conduct for you from the general,” replied Standish; “and even the audacious Rigby would not dare to disobey it. You can now return to Knowsley.”
“But I shall be afraid to remain there,” she said.
“You will be safer there than at Lathom,” said Standish.
“But you will never be able to come to Knowsley when the siege commences?” she remarked.
“Not often, I fear,” he replied. “All communication will be cut off by the enemy’s lines.”
“Then I will stay at Lathom.”
“But the countess may not desire to have us there,” observed her father. “We must not presume too far on her hospitality.”
“Let us see her once more, dear father, before we return to Knowsley?” said Engracia.
“She must not be put to the slightest inconvenience. I will never consent to that,” said Don Fortunio.
The horsemen whom Standish had brought with him, and Don Fortunio’s steed, and the two palfreys belonging to Engracia and her attendant, were in waiting at the back of the ruins, and so well concealed, that they had escaped the notice of Rigby and his troopers.