The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  Scarcely knowing what to think of these singular recruits, a crowd of young damsels followed them, laughing and jesting with them as they marched along.

  On arriving at the market-place, where the troops were assembling to proclaim King James, the recruits created quite a sensation — especially among certain young gentlemen in Lord Derwentwater’s regiment, who stared at them in astonishment, and could scarcely believe their eyes. Their perplexity afforded the recruits great amusement, but they pretended not to recognise them, and did not return their signs and gestures.

  Equally astonished was Captain Shaftoe when he beheld the troop; but quickly recovering himself, he rode up to General Forster and obtained his permission to place the recruits near the cross.

  For this service he received the thanks of the handsome young captain, but he did not tarry to talk to him then, or ask for any explanation, for the Highlanders were gathering around.

  Nothing could be better than the position thus gained by the recruits, for they were close to General Forster and the English and Scottish nobles, and could see everything. What is more, they themselves could be seen. In fact, they were conspicuous objects in the picture, and really contributed to its effect. Stationed elsewhere, they would have been lost, for the place was entirely filled with the military and the townsfolk.

  When the proclamation was made such a shout arose as had never been heard in that place before. Kerchiefs were waved from the windows of the town-hall, which were garnished with fair dames, and a host of gentlemen ranged in front of the building, made their voices heard above the general din. The enthusiasm pervaded all classes, and a more exciting scene cannot be imagined.

  This was the last time that such shouts were heard in England. Never again was King James proclaimed by the insurgent forces.

  CHAPTER III

  The Countess and Dorothy arrive at Preston

  GENERAL FORSTER’S utter incapacity as a leader had now become manifest to all. He drank as hard during the march, as he had been accustomed to do at Bamborough, and after these potations his head could not be very clear in the morning. Had it not been for Colonel Oxburgh, who acted for him, many ruinous mistakes must have occurred. Remonstrances, however, were useless. To argue with him only made him more determinately obstinate. Right or wrong, he would have his own way. The only person he would listen to was Lord Widdrington, who knew how to humour him.

  This state of things at head-quarters filled Lord Derwentwater with the gravest apprehension, for he foresaw that the general’s blundering and obstinacy must expose them to a chance of defeat, whenever an engagement with the enemy should occur.

  But Forster’s indifference to the danger of his position was quite as remarkable as his stupidity. Although informed on the day after his arrival at Preston, that General Wills was marching to Wigan with several regiments of dragoons, and some regiments of foot, he refused to believe the intelligence, and took no pains to verify it. Neither did he seem willing to credit the report that General Carpenter was marching against him from Newcastle. So delighted was he with Preston, with his quarters, with the hospitality of the inhabitants, and the general attractions of the place, that he was in no hurry to leave. Like the gentlemen troopers he had submitted to feminine fascination, and short as had been his stay, Mrs. Scarisbrick, a charming young widow, already held him in thrall.

  It seemed, indeed, to be the design of the Preston belles to captivate all the insurgent leaders, and many a tender glance was thrown at Lord Derwentwater by some of the fairest ladies of the place. But he was proof against all their allurements.

  Shortly after the proclamation had taken place, when the crowd dispersed, and the soldiers had returned to their quarters, two ladies, both young, and very handsome, well mounted, habited in elegant riding-dresses, attended by an elderly personage, who almost looked like a priest, and followed by a middle- aged man-servant and a couple of grooms, each having a valise fastened to the saddle, entered Preston by the avenue connected with the Lancaster road, and proceeded to the market-place, where they halted to make inquiries respecting Lord Derwentwater’s quarters, and having ascertained that he occupied Sir Henry Hoghton’s house in Church-street, they went thither.

  These ladies attracted considerable attention as they rode along, but no one could tell who they were, until they were recognised by some of the gentlemen soldiers, as the Countess of Derwentwater and Miss Forster, the general’s sister. It was conjectured that the grave-looking personage who rode beside them might be Father Norman, the earl’s chaplain, and the old man-servant Mr. Newbiggin, the butler at Dilston.

  When the arrival of the countess and Miss Forster became known it caused a great sensation in the place, and the news soon reached General Forster, who chanced to be walking at the time with Mrs. Scarisbrick in the Fishergate.

  The news did not seem altogether agreeable to him, but Mrs. Scarisbrick was delighted, and said she should be enchanted to make the acquaintance of the two ladies; whereupon, the complaisant general offered to introduce her to them forthwith, and begged her to accompany him to Lord Derwentwater’s quarters, where it was certain they would be found.

  As the countess wished to take her husband by surprise, no announcement of her arrival was made to him. Alone, in a room at the back of the house, and engaged in writing a letter, he did not perceive her entrance; but when he raised his eyes, and beheld her standing beside him, he uttered a cry of delight, and springing up, clasped her to his breast.

  “How strange!” he exclaimed, after the first expressions of delight were over. “I was just writing to you to say I wished I had the power to conjure you here, and as if in answer to the summons, you appear.”

  “You are certainly the enchanter, who has brought me here,” she replied, smiling. “But I am not alone,” she cried. “Father Norman is with me, and Newbiggin; and I have also brought Dorothy Forster to see her brother.”

  “Dorothy is much wanted,” he replied. “But tell me how you got here? Have you experienced any hindrance or annoyance on the road?”

  “None whatever,” she replied. “We set out from Dilston two days ago, and got to Lancaster yesterday, just after you had left, but were too tired to follow, so we rested there, and came on to-day. Do not imagine that I intend to accompany you in your campaign. My sole object in coming here is to see you once more. Left by myself at Dilston I became so unhappy that I thought I should have died. In vain Father Norman offered me all the consolation in his power. I consulted Dorothy — told her how wretched I was — that I was resolved to see you again, cost what it might — and she agreed to accompany me. Finding nothing could turn me from my purpose, Father Norman likewise volunteered to attend me — nor could I leave Newbiggin behind. I hope I have not done wrong in bringing him. There are plenty of faithful servants to take care of the castle during my absence. But what excellent quarters you have got. This is really a charming house.”

  “Yes, I believe it is the best in the town. It belongs to Sir Henry Hoghton, who commands the Lancashire militia. He is gone to Wigan, where he expects to be joined — if he has not been already joined — by General Wills, with several regiments of dragoons. Our foes you see are close at hand, yet they might be a hundred miles off for aught Forster seems to care. If I had the command of the army, I should have fortified myself at Lancaster, but Forster decided otherwise. Now we may have to stand an assault here. And Wills is not our only enemy. General Carpenter is advancing from Newcastle, and possibly may overtake us, ere we leave Preston.”

  “What if he does?” said the countess. “You have no reason to fear him.”

  “With Forster at our head, we shall never win a battle,” said the earl.

  “You are dispirited, my dear lord,” observed the countess; “and I think without reason.”

  “I wish I could think so,” he rejoined, sadly. “But I cannot. With such a general as Forster we shall do no good. But where are Dorothy and Father Norman?”

  “I left them in the
large room opening from the hall,” she replied.

  “I must go and bid them welcome,” said the earl. “I am rejoiced that Dorothy has come. She has great influence with her brother, and may extricate us from the dreadful dilemma in which we are placed.”

  “Finding your quarters so good, I have asked her to stay with me here,” said the countess. “I don’t think she will be in the way.”

  “Not in the least,” replied the earl. “There is room for a dozen more. My brother Charles is the only person in the house with me, and nothing can be more agreeable to him than Dorothy’s society. By-the-bye, I must tell you that since his arrival here, the general has fallen desperately in love with a fair widow — Mrs. Scarisbrick. I mention the matter because I have no doubt you will soon see her. She is really very handsome, as are all the Preston women, who have made sad work with most of the young men in my regiment. They are half crazed about them. But come along, sweetheart. We must not remain talking here. I want to see Dorothy and Father Norman.”

  Newbiggin was standing in the passage as the earl came forth with the countess, and received a very kindly greeting from his lordship.

  “I am very glad to see you, Newbiggin,” said Lord Derwentwater. “I haven’t time to talk to you now, but I shall have a good deal to say to you, when I am more at leisure.”

  “Has your lordship any orders to give me?” inquired the butler.

  “Yes. Select a good room for Miss Forster, and another for Father Norman, and let all be got ready for them without delay.”

  “It shall be done, my lord,” replied the butler. “Your lordship will find them in this room,” he added, opening the door of a spacious and well-furnished apartment.

  CHAPTER IV

  Mrs. Scarisbrick

  As the earl entered Father Norman advanced to meet him, and saluting him affectionately, gave him his benediction. This little ceremony over, Lord Derwentwater addressed himself to Dorothy, expressing his delight at seeing her, and thanking her for her kindness in accompanying the countess on the hazardous expedition.

  “I only hope you will have no cause to regret your obliging compliance with her wishes,” he said. “I hope you will stay with her here, for I really think you will be better off in this house than in the general’s quarters.”

  “Oh! yes, Dorothy will stay with me I’m quite sure,” cried the countess. “I can’t part with her.”

  Dorothy gladly assented to the arrangement, which indeed was very agreeable to her, and this matter being settled, the earl again addressed himself to Father Norman, and told him he was happy in being able to offer him such excellent accommodation.

  “You shall have as good a room as you have been accustomed to at Dilston,” he said.

  “I beg your lordship not to trouble yourself on my account,” replied the priest. “I care not where I am lodged.”

  Just then, Newbiggin came in and announced General Forster and Mrs. Scarisbrick, and next moment the general made his appearance with the young widow.

  While he presented her to the countess and his sister, the priest retired to the further end of the room.

  Both ladies were very much struck by Mrs. Scarisbrick’s beauty and liveliness. She did not seem more than five-and-twenty. She was a blonde, with very fine eyes and pretty features, and had a graceful figure, set off by a charming dress.

  She appeared exceedingly good-natured, and was certainly very desirous to please. Indeed her manner was so engaging that both ladies were delighted with her. The only thing that surprised Lady Derwentwater was that she could tolerate such a man as Forster.

  “I hope your lordship and Miss Forster will like Preston,” she said after her presentation to them by the general. “We will do our best to amuse you. In spite of war’s alarms, a good deal is going on. To-night there will be a grand ball at the town-hall. I have no doubt it will be a very gay affair. All the officers will be present.”

  “And some of the loveliest women you ever beheld,” said the general. “I never knew what beauty was till I came to Preston.”

  “Don’t mind what the general says,” observed Mrs. Scarisbrick. “He thinks too much of us.”

  “I can’t think too much of you,” sighed Forster.

  “Ah! you flatter,” said the widow. “However, if Lady Derwentwater and Miss Forster will honour the ball with their presence, they will be able to judge for themselves.”

  “Shall we go to this ball?” said the countess to the earl.

  “By all means,” he replied. “It will be very numerously attended. In addition to the officers, all my gentlemen soldiers will be there.”

  “Yes, there will be plenty of military,” observed General Forster. “Your ladyship may think I am jesting, but I assure you there is not an officer or a trooper in the Northumbrian regiments, who isn’t in love.”

  “Beginning with the general himself,” remarked the countess.

  “Yes, I own the soft impeachment,” he replied.

  Mrs. Scarisbrick affected not to hear the observation, and said to Lady Derwentwater:

  “I must congratulate your ladyship on the house you have got. ’Tis the best in the place.”

  “So I fancied,” said the countess. “Sir Henry Hoghton must have been very sorry to quit it.”

  “He was driven out by General Forster’s approach,” laughed Mrs. Scarisbrick.

  “Do you know him?” inquired the countess.

  “Intimately,” replied Mrs. Scarisbrick; “and like him very much. But he has one great fault. He is a Whig and a Hanoverian.”

  “Then I presume you are a Jacobite?” said the countess.

  “As ardent a Jacobite as your ladyship,” replied Mrs. Scarisbrick.

  “I know you are very well informed, Mrs. Scarisbrick,” observed Lord Derwentwater. “What think you of the news that General Wills has arrived at Wigan?”

  “I don’t believe it,” she replied. “Had it been the case, I must have heard of it. There are all sorts of disquieting rumours at present — but General Forster needn’t trouble himself about them.”

  “I don’t,” said Forster, emphatically.

  “You may depend upon having early information from me,” said Mrs. Scarisbrick. “I have friends at Wigan who will be sure to send me word if anything is to be apprehended. You may therefore rest quite easy.”

  “Nevertheless, I think you ought to advance to-morrow, general,” observed Lord Derwentwater.

  “To-morrow!” exclaimed Mrs. Scarisbrick. “I am sure Lady Derwentwater will never consent to that.”

  “I would if there were any necessity for the step,” rejoined the countess.

  “But there is none — none whatever!” said Mrs. Scarisbrick.

  “You say you are a particular friend of Sir Henry Hoghton, Mrs. Scarisbrick,” remarked Lord Derwentwater. “May I ask whether you have heard from him since he left?”

  “I had a letter from him this very morning,” she replied.

  “Indeed!” exclaimed the countess and Dorothy.

  “I showed it to General Forster, as he will tell you,” pursued Mrs. Scarisbrick. “But Sir Henry doesn’t say a word about General Wills.”

  “Not very likely he would,” remarked Dorothy.

  “There I differ with you,” said the general. “I am certain he would.”

  “So am I,” said Mrs. Scarisbrick. “Besides, I have other correspondents as well as Sir Henry, and I am confident they would have sent me information of so important a circumstance.”

  “Then you think we may rest easy for the present?” observed Dorothy.

  “Perfectly,” said Mrs. Scarisbrick. “You shall have timely information of any danger from me.”

  “No need to send a spy to Wigan to watch the enemy’s movements,” observed Forster, with a laugh. “I get all the information I require without trouble.”

  “So it seems,” remarked Lord Derwentwater. “But I again counsel an immediate march on Wigan.”

  “Nay, nay, let us rest quie
tly here for a day or two, and enjoy ourselves,” said Forster. “We can’t have better quarters. Preston has a hundred recommendations that no other place possesses. And since the countess has joined us, I shouldn’t have thought your lordship would desire to move. What says your ladyship?” he added, appealing to her.

  “I should certainly like to remain here for a day or two, if it can be done with safety,” she replied.

  “It can — I’ll answer for it,” said Forster; “and since I am responsible for any mistake, you may be sure I shall be careful.”

  “Trust to me,” said Mrs. Scarisbrick. “Depend upon it I will procure information of the enemy’s movements.”

  “Is she to be relied on?” whispered Dorothy to the earl.

  “I cannot tell,” he replied in the same tone. “But your brother is so bewitched that he will never move. You must look after him.”

  CHAPTER V

  Important Recruits

  JUST then a great tumult was heard outside, and the ladies flew to the windows, which looked upon the street, to see what was the matter.

  The disturbance was caused by the arrival of some five or six well-mounted gentlemen, each attended by a dozen armed retainers on horseback, so that they formed quite a troop. A shouting crowd followed them, adding to the noise.

  General Forster, who had likewise rushed to the window, was greatly delighted by the sight, since it could not be doubted that these gentlemen had come to join his forces. They had stopped at the entrance to his quarters, and were told by one of the sentinels stationed at the gate, that the general was then at Lord Derwentwater’s house on the opposite side of the street.

  At this juncture, however, Lord Widdrington came forth, and shook hands very heartily with one of the recruits, a very fine-looking man.

  “Who is that handsome and distinguished-looking person?” said the countess to her lord, who had followed her to the window.

  “That is Mr. Townley, of Townley,” replied the earl. “He is Lord Widdrington’s brother-in-law, and belongs to one of the oldest families in Lancashire. I am rejoiced to see him here.”