She was in the great hall with her daughters and some other persons, when Major Farrington came to inform her that some half-dozen Royalist gentlemen, with whom she was well acquainted, had just arrived at the castle.
Scarcely able to credit the statement, she inquired who they were, and how it came to pass that they were permitted by the enemy to approach the gate.
“They have a safeguard from Sir Thomas Fairfax, who is desirous they should have an interview with your ladyship,” replied Major Farrington; “as he hopes they may induce you to surrender the mansion.”
“Methought you said they are Royalist gentlemen with whom I am well acquainted,” remarked the countess. “They can know little of me, if they entertain any such notion. Who are they?”
“The principal person among them is Sir Thomas Prestwich,” replied Major Farrington. “With him are Sir Edward Litten, Sir John Getherick, Mr. Gillibrand, Mr. Fleetwood, and Mr. Leigh—all adherents of the noble lord, your husband, and devoted to the royal cause.”
“Bring them to me, I pray you,” said the countess. “I shall be glad to see them.”
Shortly afterwards the gentlemen in question were ceremoniously ushered into the hall, and presented to her ladyship by Major Farrington, who received them very courteously.
“I am glad to see you, gentlemen,” she said, “though I marvel you have been able to obtain admittance to me.”
“We could not have done so, but for the consideration shown us by General Fairfax,” replied Sir Thomas Prestwich. “We have a petition to your ladyship, signed by many friends and adherents of your noble husband, praying you to make terms with your enemies, who are disposed to treat you honourably and fairly, and not continue a useless resistance.”
“I thank you, gentlemen, for the interest you take in me,” she replied; “but you would have done better to petition those rebellious leaders who have plundered and spoiled the county to cease their wicked actions, rather than come to me, who seek to attack no one, but desire only to defend my children and my mansion during my lord’s enforced absence. You profess yourselves loyal servants of the king, and I do not doubt your zeal, but see you not that you are taking part with his enemies in bringing this petition to me? It is the aim of Sir Thomas Fairfax and those with him to induce me to surrender. But they will fail. No representations, either of friend or foe, shall induce me to take such an unworthy course. I will make no terms with declared rebels and traitors, for those who are faithless to their sovereign are not likely to be true to me. You shall take no message back from me to Sir Thomas Fairfax, save one of defiance. With Heaven’s help I will hold my house against him and all my enemies, and he will never induce me to surrender, either by promises that I disbelieve, or threats that I despise. Take back this answer from me, I pray you, Sir Thomas, to General Fairfax, and say it is final. I will receive no more messages from him—nor would I have received this, had it not been brought by you.”
“We applaud your resolution, madam,” said Sir Thomas Prestwich. “You have entirely changed our sentiments. We were led to believe it would be impossible for you to hold out against the force brought against you, but we now think otherwise.”
“Have you not heard of the success of our sortie yesterday, Sir Thomas?” asked Major Farrington. “We have made a most important prisoner. Colonel Rosworm is now in our hands.”
“No mention was made to us of the circumstance,” replied Prestwich. “The capture of Rosworm is indeed important.”
“He is here,” remarked Major Farrington. “Look towards the bottom of the hall, and you will behold him. You can now tell Sir Thomas Fairfax that you have seen him here.”
“I shall not fail to do so,” replied Prestwich. “We will now take our leave of your ladyship.”
“Nay, you must not depart thus, gentlemen,” she said. “Stay and dine with me, I pray you. You will then be able to tell Sir Thomas Fairfax that we do not lack provisions.”