“He merely came to attend a grand banquet given in his honour,” replied the governor. “Sir Richard Girlington, sheriff of the county, Lord Molineux, Sir Gilbert Hoghton, Sir Alexander Radcliffe, Sir Thomas Prestwich, Sir Edward Mosley, of Alport Lodge, Sir Thomas Tyldesley, Mr. Farrington, of Worden, and several other Royalist gentlemen were present, but all might have passed off quietly if Colonel Holcroft and Colonel Birch had not marched into the town with a large party of men, armed with pikes and muskets, and struck up their drums in the market-place to call out the militia.”
“That was certain to cause an affray,” remarked Rosworm. “Perhaps they merely meant to disturb the party at the banquet.”
“I suspect they had a deeper design,” said the governor. “But be that as it may, they were interrupted by the sheriff, who quitted the banquet, and suddenly appeared in the market-place with a few followers, and ordered them in the king’s name to lay down their arms, and keep the peace. They refused, and the sheriff was unable to enforce compliance. Meanwhile Lord Strange, with Lord Molineux, Sir Thomas Tyldesley, and the rest of the gentlemen likewise quitted the banquet, and came to the sheriff’s assistance. A sharp conflict took place in the streets, during which several men were killed on both sides, but it ended in the discomfiture of Holcroft and Birch. The latter would have been shot, had he not taken refuge under a cart. Lord Strange and his friends were highly incensed, and declared it was a treacherous design to assassinate them. Next morning the chief persons of the town waited upon his lordship, who was a guest of Sir Alexander Radcliffe, of Ordsall Hall, to express their great regret at the occurrence.”
“Had Lord Strange chosen, he could easily have taken the town at that time, and carried off the magazine,” observed Rosworm. “But now we are secure from attack.”
“We shall not be left long in peace,” said the governor. “Lord Strange has just succeeded his father and is now Earl of Derby. I hear he is raising a large body of men.”
“Most probably he will march to the king’s assistance,” rejoined Rosworm.
“If I am rightly informed he has received orders from his majesty to besiege this town,” said Colonel Holland. “We may therefore expect a visit from him shortly.”
“Come when he may he will find us prepared,” said Rosworm. “But if your excellency apprehends an immediate attack it may be well to provision the town, and get in all the men you can from Bury, Rochdale, and the neighbouring places.”
“I have sent scouts to Warrington where the earl now is,” said the governor, “and expect to receive precise information to-morrow. Meanwhile, no precautions must be neglected.”
“Strict watch shall be kept to-night on the ramparts and at the gates,” rejoined Rosworm. “I myself will visit the sentinels, and see that they do not neglect their duty. If aught occurs alarm bells shall be rung, and a light displayed from the church tower.”
“You have not served under the great Wallenstein without learning something, colonel,” observed the governor, with a smile.
“I have learnt that he who guards a fortress must not sleep at night,” said Rosworm. “Depend upon it the enemy shall not take us unawares.”
At this moment the door was partly opened, and a pleasant voice inquired:
“May I come in, father?”
Rosworm answered in the affirmative, and Gertrude entered.
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VII
Gertrude Rosworm
HER presence seemed to light up the little room. A lovely blonde with the fairest tresses, and the tenderest blue eyes imaginable. A glance from those blue eyes possessed an almost resistless witchery. Figure slight and symmetrical. She was simply, yet very becomingly attired. On her head she wore a coverchief, her flaxen locks were wholly unconfined, and allowed to flow over her shoulders. A kerchief covered her neck; a girdle, totally destitute of ornament, spanned her slender waist; and her gown, worn long enough to conceal her small feet, was made of the plainest stuff. No ornament whatever.
As she entered the room, the governor rose to salute her. Though he passed no compliments upon her looks, he did not attempt to conceal his admiration.