On the arrival of the party at Lathom, the countess chanced to be in the court-yard, and without a moment’s hesitation declared that, under the circumstances, they ought to proceed to Knowsley.
“With Sir Thomas Fairfax’s warrant you will be quite safe there,” she said, “and will have none of the inconvenience you would have to endure here.”
Engracia would much rather have remained at Lathom with all its perils, but Don Fortunio was perfectly satisfied, and thanked her ladyship for her consideration. So they set out at once for Knowsley, and were escorted thither by Standish.
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VII
Of the Message brought by Colonel Morgan to the Countess
NEXT day, the countess prepared for the reception of the messenger whom she knew would be sent to her by Sir Thomas Fairfax.
About an hour before noon, Colonel Morgan arrived, attended by a dozen troopers, whom he was obliged to leave outside the gate. No display was made of the strength of the garrison, as was done when Sir Thomas Fairfax visited the castle.
Colonel Morgan dismounted in the outer court, and was at once conducted to the countess.
A man of small stature, with a very fierce expression of countenance, heightened by a pair of piercing black eyes. His manner was exceedingly consequential, far more so than that of Fairfax, and he comported himself very haughtily towards Major Farrington, who received him, and conducted him to the countess.
Colonel Morgan had won a considerable reputation for activity and courage, and was reputed a very skilful engineer. As he marched through the court with Major Farrington, he encountered several of the officers, and eyed them sharply, almost menacingly, and he also glanced inquisitively at the ramparts.
The countess received him in the presence-chamber, but very coldly, being highly displeased by his manner. Only Archdeacon Rutter and Captain Standish were with her at the time.
In a somewhat insolent tone he informed her that Sir Thomas Fairfax agreed to her conditions, and would allow her to take her children, her chaplains, and her servants to the Isle of Man, but she must disband all her men, and prepare to receive an officer and forty Parliamentary soldiers as her guard.
“Disband all my men?” cried the countess.
“Before noon to-morrow,” said Colonel Morgan, peremptorily.
“And you, I presume, are the officer in command?” remarked the countess.
“Your ladyship has guessed aright. It is so,” he replied. “I trust I shall be able to carry back a satisfactory answer to the general.”
“You will tell Sir Thomas Fairfax that I refuse his proposition—entirely refuse it,” she rejoined. “And I am heartily glad he has refused mine. Were it to save my life I would not renew the offer. Had my lord been in command here you had not dared to offer this insult to him,”
“No insult is intended to your ladyship,” re-marked Colonel Morgan. “The general merely requires you to disband your garrison.”
“Is it not an affront to send such a message to me?” said the countess. “Did Sir Thomas expect compliance? If he did, he little knows me. I am ready to resist his utmost violence, and trust in Heaven for protection and deliverance. As to you, sir, who have dared to bring me this insolent message, and have ventured to intimate to me that you are appointed to the command of the castle—you shall never set foot in it again.”
“I may not be admitted, madam, but it is possible I may enter, nevertheless,” said Morgan, boldly.
“Shall I cast him forth, madam, for his insolence and presumption?” cried Standish.
“No, I have promised him free access and a safe return,” said the countess. “But he has abused his license.”
“I do not desire to offend your ladyship, and am sorry if I have done so,” said Colonel Morgan, in a slightly apologetic tone. “I share in the high respect which the general bears for you, and regret that you will not submit to the ordinances of the Parliament. Resistance will be impossible against the large force we shall bring, and by which the castle will very shortly be completely invested. We have ordnance of the largest size, bombards, basilisks, and a great mortar, that will cast forth grenades that cannot fail to burn down the place.”