The musketeers were now drawn up in double line, and as the earl and his guest passed through their ranks the court resounded with acclamations.
Alighting first, Lord Derby held the prince’s bridle, while the latter dismounted. Major Farrington then came forward, and bidding Prince Rupert welcome in the countess’s name, besought permission to conduct his highness to the presence-chamber, where he would find her ladyship.
The vast chamber to which the prince was ushered through a crowd of attendants, really presented a very striking appearance, being hung round by the colours just taken at Bolton, and adorned by some other trophies won from the enemy during the siege.
At the further end of the room, in a chair of state, sat Lady Derby, surrounded by her daughters, her chaplains, and her officers — the latter being in their full accoutrements. She was very richly attired, but had no diamonds to display.
As the prince drew near she arose, and advancing to meet him, made him a profound reverence.
“Nay, madam,” said Rupert taking her hand, and pressing it to his lips, “this ceremony is unneeded. I care not for show.”
“But I desire to do your highness honour,” she rejoined. “I wish to evince my gratitude. You have succoured me, and punished my enemies.”
“Your enemies were beaten before I arrived,” said the prince. “And they have been punished by your husband not by me. Lord Derby was first to enter Bolton, and the work of vengeance was half performed ere I took part in it.”
“Your highness gives me far more credit than is my due,” said the earl. “Undoubtedly, I did my best, and had I not succeeded in the assault, I should not now be here. But what are my achievements compared with those of my heroic wife?”
“Ay, my lord, you may well be proud of her,” said Rupert. “No other woman in England could have braved such a general as Fairfax. I will not speak of Rigby and the others, though they were formidable.”
“I am sorry Rigby has escaped,” observed the countess. “He will always be an enemy.”
“I will have him yet,” said the earl. “But let us not mar our victory by other thoughts.”
Tenderly embracing his children, he exchanged cordial greetings with Don Fortunio and his daughter, and with the chaplains.
Meanwhile, the officers composing the prince’s body-guard had been conducted to the great banqueting-hall, where an excellent repast was set before them, and they were still partaking of it when the party came forth from the presence- chamber.
All arose, and raising their glasses, drank to the noble Lady of Lathom.
Prince Rupert having expressed a desire to examine the state of the fortress, he was conducted over it by the Earl of Derby and the countess, attended by Major Farrington, Standish, and some other officers.
Mounting to the ramparts, the prince carefully examined the enemy’s entrenchments and batteries, and then said to the countess:
“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.”
Acting up to his expressed intention, he went to the countess, who was in a different part of the hall, and though under ordinary circumstances she would have made many objections, she yielded to his representations, and it was arranged that the marriage should take place in the chapel at an early hour next morning.
To obviate all religious scruples, it was likewise arranged that the ceremony should be first performed by Archdeacon Rutter and afterwards according to the ritu
al of the Church of Rome, by a priest who had found refuge in the castle.
This very satisfactory conclusion being arrived at, Standish heartily thanked the prince, and told his highness he had made him the happiest of men.
Her work being fully accomplished, the heroic Countess of Derby had no longer any desire to remain at Lathom; and since the earl was about to accompany Prince Rupert to besiege Liverpool, she proposed to relinquish the command of the garrison to Captain Rawsthorne, and repair with her daughters and a portion of her household to the Isle of Man, and there recruit her health, which had somewhat suffered.
She would have left Standish in command of the garrison, but Prince Rupert preferred that he should be actively employed.
It was therefore arranged that apartments should be assigned him at Knowsley, which could be occupied by his wife during his absence.
All these plans were discussed and settled before the grand banquet that took place in the evening.
CHAPTER X
How a Banquet was given in the Great Hall, and a Bonfire lighted in the Court- yard
ONCE more, and almost for the last time, that great hall was filled with company, and when the health of the Earl of Derby and his countess was drunk, the roof resounded with such cheers as had never been heard there before — cheers that astonished even Prince Rupert himself, by whom the toast was proposed.
The lower tables were crowded with musketeers, and by them the deafening, clamour was raised.
“God save the Earl and Countess of Derby,” they shouted, “and deliver them from their enemies!”
At the head of the upper table, in a raised chair, with the earl and countess on either side, sat Prince Rupert, whose deportment well fitted him for the position he occupied.
His manner was haughty, but not wanting in dignity, and his military bearing pleased the soldiers of the garrison, who looked upon him as the great leader of the Royalists, and firmly believed he would give the king back the power of which the rebels had deprived him. Prince Rupert was their hope, and the success that had hitherto attended his arms, fully warranted their reliance on him.
When the Earl of Derby, therefore, proposed Prince Rupert’s health, describing him as the deliverer of the countess, and the victor of Bolton, who would speedily free the country from its enemies, their shouts were as loud as before, and it was evident that in their breasts burnt the flame of loyalty.
While thanking them, the prince remarked, “I cannot praise you more than by saying you are worthy followers of a brave mistress. If you were fortunate in being commanded by the Countess of Derby, she was equally fortunate in having such soldiers as you. But forget not what you owe to your officers. Had it not been for their valour and skill we might not be here now.”
All the officers of the garrison were seated at the upper table, opposite the prince, and on receiving this well-merited tribute to their valour, they arose and bowed to him, while the hall rang with renewed cheers.
Conspicuous among the guests at the upper table were the Cavaliers who had accompanied Prince Rupert. Young men of good family, and devoted to the royal cause, then never gave quarter to a Roundhead. Most of them were afterwards killed at Marston Moor, but they were now full of life and spirits, and enthusiastic in their admiration of the heroism displayed by Lady Derby.
But the rejoicings on the conclusion of the siege did not terminate with the banquet.
About an hour after it became dark, an immense bonfire composed of pieces of timber and wood brought from the trenches was kindled in the centre of the court-yard, and by the time the pile was fairly alight, the whole place was filled with spectators.
At the instance of the Earl of Derby, Prince Rupert, with the countess and her daughters and the whole of the company, came forth to witness the sight.
The effect was exceedingly striking. As the flames soared up their reflection fell upon the crowd of musketeers, gathered around, upon others on the walls, and on the guard on the gate-towers.
Every part of the vast edifice on which the light fell, was revealed as clearly as in the daytime, and its picturesque character was materially heightened.
The appearance of the ramparts was singularly fine, and attracted much attention as the company came forth.
So bright at this moment was the illumination caused by the flames that the architecture of the mansion could have been studied in its minutest details. Even the summit of the Eagle Tower was distinguishable.
When at their highest, the flames rose above the ramparts, producing all the effect of a conflagration.
Seen far and wide, they caused great alarm amongst distant beholders, and many of the earl’s old tenants and retainers, thinking Lathom House on fire, hurried to the spot to render assistance.
Admitted to the court-yard, they were thanked for their zeal, and not permitted to depart till they had drank the health of the earl and countess.
Thus ended a memorable day.
CHAPTER XI
Of the Marriage that took place in the Chapel
NOTWITHSTANDING the festivity of the previous night the garrison was astir at the usual early hour, and Prince Rupert, who quitted his couch betimes, made another survey of the fortress with the earl, being accompanied on this occasion by Captain Rawsthorne, to whom he made some suggestions.
His highness likewise inspected the garrison, highly commending the men; and examined the stores, which were far better supplied than he expected. All this took place before breakfast.
Later on in the day, though still at an early hour, the marriage, previously arranged, took place in the chapel, and Colonel Standish was united to the lovely object of his affections.
The ceremony was twice performed in the presence of the Earl and Countess of Derby, Prince Rupert, and all the officers of the garrison. The bride was given away by her father, Don Fortunio Alava, the young ladies Stanley acting as bridesmaids.
Attired in white satin, and wearing a white veil instead of her customary black silk mantilla, Engracia looked charming. While kneeling at the altar, her attitude was full of grace, and when she raised her magnificent eyes towards her husband all were struck by their splendour.
The young Cavaliers, whose brave hearts were not unsusceptible of lighter emotions, envied him his good fortune.
The ceremony, though twice as long as usual, was over at last, and when Standish came forth with his bride, he found the court filled with soldiers, most of whom had accompanied him in his sallies on the besiegers. They now pressed forward to wish him all happiness. Similar manifestations of attachment accompanied him to the house.
Again there was a large assemblage in the banqueting-hall, but the repast was not so substantial as that on the previous day, nor did it last so long.
When their health had been drunk, bride and bridegroom disappeared, and not long afterwards they might have been seen on the way to Knowsley.
A single steed carried them, and the noble animal did not seem to heed the double burden. They were attended by a couple of troopers, one of whom had charge of Maria. Eager to reach their destination they did not loiter on the way.
Since solitude is sought by every newly-married pair, Standish and his bride must have been supremely happy at Knowsley, for they had the large mansion entirely to themselves.
Only old Randal Fermor to wait upon them — only Maria to attend on her young mistress. No one was to be seen in the great hall, on the stair-case, or in the grand gallery. No one met them on the terrace, in the garden, or on the borders of the lake.
Time was not allowed them to tire of this paradise — for such it seemed.
On the third day, the Countess of Derby arrived, bringing her daughters with her, her chaplain, Archdeacon Rutter, and a large portion of her household.
Her ladyship was likewise accompanied by Don Fortunio, who had come to bid his daughter adieu, preparatory to his departure to Spain.
As the countess was attended by a guard of twenty men, the deserted mansion seemed pe
opled at once. Its quietude was gone.
The change, however, mattered little to Standish. His brief season of felicity was ended.
On the same day came an order from Prince Rupert requiring him to join the army immediately at Liverpool.
He felt most unwilling to obey. His bride sought to detain him, but he broke from her arms, and set forth.
CHAPTER XII
The Siege of Liverpool
ON approaching Liverpool, Standish found that Prince Rupert had fixed his camp round the Beacon, which was situated on the top of a hill about a mile from the town.
At the period in question, the great and wealthy town, now the chief commercial port in the kingdom, and the abode of merchant princes, was then almost in its infancy. But its inhabitants were remarkably active and enterprising, the position of the port on the Mersey was admirably chosen, and even then there were indications of the future greatness and importance of the town.
Viewed from the Beacon Hill, Liverpool did not look very strongly fortified, and Prince Rupert persuaded himself he should easily take it, but he found the task more difficult than he expected.
The town possessed a large garrison, commanded by Colonel Moore, who had previously assisted at the Leaguer of Lathom. The governor had fifteen hundred men with him, of whom a third were cavalry, and fresh supplies derived from Manchester, were sent by water from Warrington. Thus he was enabled to make a formidable defence.
Like Bolton and all the other towns in Lancashire garrisoned by the Parliament, Liverpool was surrounded by high mud walls and a deep ditch.
These fortifications formed a semicircle, commencing with the river, inclosing Dale-street, and continuing to some low marshy ground, on the edge of which batteries were erected.
At the entrances to all the streets were gates protected by cannon.
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