At this demand the countess’s attendants exchanged glances. She answered calmly but firmly:
“When I procured the arms you have just seen, Sir Thomas, and such munitions of war as I possess, it was to defend myself against my enemies, and not to attack them. Unless my house had been strongly garrisoned, I should have long since been driven from it. I have been subjected to every kind of provocation and annoyance from the soldiers of the Parliament, but I have not retaliated, and have restrained my own officers and men as much as possible.”
“I have heard otherwise, madam,” rejoined Fairfax. “I am told that your soldiers have been in the habit of stripping the country round about, and if your garrison is well provisioned, such must have been the case. I am also informed that some of your officers have seized upon several persons well affected to the Parliament, and brought them as prisoners into this stronghold, demanding large sums for their ransom.”
“Whoever said so has belied me,” remarked the countess.
“I can give a positive denial to that statement, Sir Thomas,” interposed Major Farrington. “No such thing has occurred.”
“It is an invention of the false traitor Bootle,” remarked the countess. “My soldiers are not marauders.”
“I will not dispute the point, madam,” said Fairfax. “I repeat that the arms and ammunition in this fortress—for such it is—must be delivered up to me. On your compliance with this condition, I engage that your ladyship and all your family and household, with all officers, soldiers, and others, composing your garrison shall be suffered to depart to Chester, or any other town they may select in that county—but not in Lancashire.”
“I will answer for the whole garrison, Sir Thomas,” observed Major Farrington. “Unless by her ladyship’s commands—not an officer—not a man will depart.”
“And we, her ladyship’s chaplains,” added Archdeacon Rutter, “refuse to leave her unless in obedience to her injunctions.”
“And such injunctions I shall never give,” said the countess.
“Neither your chaplains nor any of your household are required to leave you, madam,” said Fairfax. “They will be allowed to reside with you at Knowsley, which will be placed at your ladyship’s disposal on your submission to the Parliament.”
At this proposition all the countess’s pride was aroused, and she said haughtily and indignantly:
“And think you, Sir Thomas, that I would act disloyally to my sovereign, and undutifully to my lord and husband, to obtain any favour from the Parliament? No! I reject the offer—scornfully reject it.”
“Have patience, madam, and hear me to an end,” said Fairfax. “If you prefer it, you shall be allowed to rejoin the earl, your husband, in the Isle of Man, and take with you your family and household.”
“Hear me, Sir Thomas,” cried the countess. “Much as I desire to behold my lord and husband again—greatly as I suffer at my prolonged separation from him—I will not swerve for a moment, even in thought, from my duty. Unless my lord himself commands me, I will never leave Lathom House. I will rather perish than relinquish my charge.”
“Consideration for others may move you, madam,” remarked Fairfax. “Your daughters, I doubt not, would fain be with their father.”
“You are mistaken, Sir Thomas,” said the Lady Henriette Marie, with great spirit. “We will never leave our dear mother, the countess.”
“Never!” cried the two others with equal spirit.”We will perish with her.”
“You hear, Sir Thomas,” said the countess with a proud smile. “We are all of the same opinion.”
“So I find, madam,” replied Fairfax, “and I much fear I may be compelled to have recourse to extremities, which I am most anxious to avoid. However, in the hope that you may yet change your mind, I will give you two more days for reflection, and during that interval I shall be willing to receive any proposition you may think fit to make to me. You have able advisers with you,” he added, glancing at Major Farrington and the three divines, “and will do well to profit by their counsel.”
“I should counsel nothing that the Earl of Derby himself would not approve,” observed Major Farrington. “And I am certain he would never advise a surrender.”