Never had he seen such magnificent black eyes as the fair damsel fixed upon him when she regained her sensibility. She did not thank him in words, but her looks sufficiently expressed her gratitude. What she left unsaid, her father supplied, and as he spoke in French the young man understood him.
At this juncture, Maria uttered a cry, and it appeared that a valuable casket had been left behind. Not a moment must be lost if it was to be recovered, for the flames had already burst forth, and Lord Derby reiterated his command that every one should leave the ship.
Despite the injunction, Standish hurried back to the cabin, but had not returned when Engracia with her father and Maria were lowered into the boat.
Their uneasiness, however, was speedily dispelled by seeing him appear with the casket in his hand, and shortly afterwards, on landing, he had the supreme satisfaction of restoring it to its fair owner.
Pleased by his gallantry, Lord Derby desired him to conduct Don Fortunio and his daughter to Rossall Hall—an order we may be sure he very readily obeyed, and he was delighted to find that he could hold converse with Engracia, since, like her father, she spoke French fluently.
Rossall Hall, which was situated near the seashore, was not very far off, and as the party proceeded slowly thither, they often stopped to look back at the burning ship, which now being completely wrapped in flames, formed a very striking spectacle.
“Holy Virgin protect me!” exclaimed Engracia, “Little did I think, when I quitted Dunquerque, that this direful catastrophe would occur!—that our noble ship would be driven ashore and burnt—and that I should be forced to land in England!”
“Instead of repining you ought to thank the saints that you have escaped so well, child,” observed Don Fortunio. “But for this brave young gentleman, who preserved us, we should have perished in the flames.”
“What a dreadful death!—as bad as an auto-da-fe,” exclaimed Maria, in Spanish. “How much we owe the noble caballero! The señorita Engracia must not forget that he hazarded his life to bring her the jewel-case.”
“I do not forget it,” said the young damsel, fixing her dark eyes upon him.
“You overrate my services, fair lady,” replied Standish, who felt the glance vibrate through his breast.
“But what is to become of us in this country?” cried Engracia. “It seems all in a state of rebellion and strife.”
“Fear nothing!” cried Standish, with a reassuring look. “You are in good hands. The Earl of Derby will protect you.”
“I have heard that the Conde de Derby is the most powerful nobleman in this part of the country, and has several castles,” remarked Don Fortunio.
“It is quite true,” replied Standish. “Lathom House, the largest and strongest mansion in Lancashire, belongs to him. ‘Tis not many days since the queen was there.”
“Alas! poor lady! how I pity her!” cried Engracia. “The rebels, I fear, will never rest till they have driven her from the kingdom, and dethroned the king her husband.”
“You take a very gloomy view of matters, fair lady,” said Standish. “We confidently expect that the rebellion will be speedily crushed.”
“Heaven grant it may be so!” cried Don Fortunio. “My sympathies are entirely with the Royalists.”
“And so are mine,” added his daughter. “I was afraid when the rebels took possession of the ship.”
“Cielo! how quickly she burns!” ejaculated Maria. “Nothing will be left of her soon.”
Again they halted to look at the ill-fated vessel, which was now rapidly being consumed, and were so fascinated by the sight that for a time they could not quit the spot.
It was, in truth, a strange picture. The whole of the crew, numbering three hundred, had now assembled to look their last on the ship, and their cries could be heard at that distance.
Behind them was the troop of horse, drawn up on the bank, and watching the progress of the conflagration with great interest.
At last, it appeared that Lord Derby had seen enough, for his troop quitted their position, and began to move towards Rossall Hall. With him were Captain Verderol and Lieutenant Puntales, who had been provided with horses.