“The engineering work has been well done. With such skilful preparations, aided by the veteran soldiers who composed the Leaguer, the fortress ought to have been taken.”
“Ought to have been taken?” exclaimed the countess, surprised.
“Ay—under ordinary circumstances it would infallibly have been taken. Had I not seen it, I could not have believed that any fortified mansion could resist such works as those. That Lathom House has successfully withstood them proves that its garrison is extraordinarily brave, and its commander singularly skilful. Nay, it is the truth. I pay no compliments.”
The prince then gave his reasons, why, according to his opinion, the place ought to have been taken.
“The castle, I feel convinced, was saved by the frequent and successful sorties,” he said. “They demoralised the enemy.”
“All my officers were eager to undertake those hazardous expeditions,” remarked the countess. “But I am bound to say that the boldest and most successful leader was Captain Standish.”
“Then much is due to him,” rejoined Rupert.
His highness then complimented the officers of the garrison on the valour and zeal they had displayed during the siege.
“As to you, Captain Standish,” he said, “the important services you have rendered merit some reward. You shall have the command of a regiment of horse, with the rank of colonel.”
“I cannot thank your highness sufficiently,” said Standish, bowing deeply. “I have now reached the height of my ambition.”
“No, I am much mistaken if you do not soon become a brigadier-general. Promotion comes quickly during this war, and you are certain to distinguish yourself.”
Standish again bowed deeply.
“In conferring this well-merited distinction on my brave captain,” said the countess, “your highness is not aware that you are helping to keep him in his majesty’s service.”
“How so?” cried the prince, surprised.
“He meant to retire. Don Fortunio Alava and his daughter are about to return to Spain, and he wished to accompany them.”
“Then I suppose he is enamoured of that dark-eyed damsel?” said the prince.
“Let him answer for himself,” observed the countess with a smile.
“Your highness has guessed the truth,” said Standish. “I was going to Spain to be married.”
“Why go so far?” laughed the prince. “Why not be married here?”
“The Señorita Engracia prefers Seville, your highness.”
“But she will remain here when she finds you cannot go.”
“I have failed to persuade her.”
“Present her and Don Fortunio Alava to me, and I will try what I can do,” said the prince.
Standish gladly obeyed, and shortly afterwards the fair Spanish damsel and her father were presented to the prince, who received them very graciously.
“You are about to return to Spain I understand, señor,” he observed to Don Fortunio.
“As soon as I can obtain a passage to Cadiz, your highness.”
“I will give you what assistance I can,” said the prince. “But you must not rob us of your daughter.”
“I cannot leave her behind,” rejoined Don Fortunio. “Besides, she is most anxious to return.”
“Is this so?” said the prince to Engracia.
She replied in the affirmative, and added, “Captain Standish has promised to accompany us.”
“He has promised more than he can perform,” observed the prince. “He has just received the command of a regiment of horse and must remain.”
Engracia glanced at her lover, and read confirmation of what was said in his looks.
“I cannot honourably retire,” he remarked.
“Nor can you urge him,” observed the prince to Engracia.
“I thought it was all settled,” she cried.
“But things have changed,” said the prince. “Colonel Standish cannot abandon the brilliant career that lies before him. Nor, if you love him, would you have him do so.”
“I do not,” she cried earnestly.
“Then stay and make him happy,” said the prince.
Standish took her hand.
“You will not leave me?” he said, in a low voice.
“I cannot,” she replied.
“Then I must return to Spain without you,” said her father, somewhat reproachfully.
“But you shall not be long detained,” cried the prince, who seemed enchanted with his work. “The marriage shall take place forthwith. If Lady Derby consents, the ceremony can be performed in the castle chapel. I will speak to her at once.”