"A week ago there came a messenger from Chester, who told me that his lordship had returned, and wished to ascertain whether Knowsley was still occupied by the enemy. I told him as I have just told you, that they have completely evacuated it, and that his lordship could come hither, if he pleased, with safety."

"Then you may expect him, Randal, but of course he will come secretly."

"When I heard of your arrival, I thought at first 'twas he," said the old steward. "But I will now leave you-unless you require my assistance. Breakfast shall be prepared for you in the great hall."

He then left the chamber, and Standish arose. Before accoutring himself, he ascertained that the jewel cases were safe. Linacre made his appearance in time to buckle on his corslet.

"I know not how long I shall remain here," said Standish. "But hold yourself in readiness for instant departure."

Linacre promised obedience.

The apartment Standish had occupied was situated in the great gallery, which now seemed completely deserted, though it had not been robbed of the noble family portraits that adorned it.

As he marched along he perceived Maria in the distance. She instantly recognised him, and uttering a cry of delight, flew towards him, and kissed his hand.

"Oh! how delighted the senorita will be to learn you are come at last!" she exclaimed. "She has been quite in despair, but will now revive. She has never ceased to regret that she left Lathom House."

All this was spoken in Spanish, but her hearer quite understood it, and made the best reply he could.

"Tell her I am most anxious to see her," he said. "I only arrived here last night, and may not remain long. I am now going down to breakfast in the banqueting-hall. Perhaps she will join me there"

"I am sure she will," cried Maria. "She has not yet left her room. But she will come to you as soon as she can. Oh! how she will thank me for my good news!"

And she hurried off to convey it, while Standish descended the magnificent staircase, and proceeded to the banqueting-hall.

One or two persons were to be seen in this vast apartment, which used formerly to be thronged with serving-men and guests. These were Randal Fermor and another servant who were spreading a cloth at the upper end of the long oak table.

"It has occurred to me that your honour may like to breakfast with your friends," said Randal. "Shall I arrange it so?"

"By all means," replied Standish.

So great was his impatience to behold Engracia that he thought it an age before she appeared with Maria, though in reality not many minutes had flown.

It was a rapturous meeting, for the frank-hearted Spanish damsel did not attempt to conceal her delight, and her lover could not repress his ardour. As he held her hand, and gazed into her splendid black eyes, he thought her looking more beautiful than ever, and told her so with a warmth that left no doubt of his sincerity.

Their first transports over, they proceeded to the further end of the hall, where their discourse would be unheard, for he had much to say to her.

In the first place, he had to assure the lovely mistress of his heart that his devotion was unaltered, and, if possible, stronger than ever, while she declared that he had never for a single moment been absent from her thoughts.

"I have had nothing else to do but think of you, caro," she said, "and pray that you would soon come to me. I have thought of you at all times, and in all places, but especially on the lake. Our separation has been so long, that I sometimes began to fear I should never behold you again-and that fear almost broke my heart. But at last you are come. I behold you again, and nothing can equal my bliss. Promise not to leave me, or I shall become miserable again."

"I will not deceive you, my beloved!" cried Standish. "Nothing would give me so much delight as to stay with you-nothing will pain me more than to quit you. But I am not my own master. I should not have left Lathom House-I should not have deserted the countess, had she not sent me on a special mission. I have come here to meet the Earl of Derby."

"Then it is not to see me that you have come-as I fondly persuaded myself?" she cried, somewhat piqued.

"Duty has the first claim upon me, dearest," he rejoined. "I must obey her call."

"Yes, I have no right to complain. But it will be very-very hard to lose you." Then controlling her emotion, she added, "When do you expect the Earl of Derby?"

"I know not," he rejoined. "He may arrive at any moment. No doubt he will come secretly."

"And take you with him when he does come."

"It may be so. I cannot tell. It is not likely I shall remain here."

"Then you give me no hope?"

"Alas! no. My own idea is that his lordship has some important task for me to execute, and that I must set about it forthwith."

Their discourse was here interrupted by Don Fortunio, who had entered the hall unnoticed by either of them, and now coughed slightly to announce his presence. He expressed the greatest pleasure at beholding Standish, and inquired anxiously after the countess, and how the siege progressed.

"I hope she still defies her enemies," he said.

"Resolutely as ever," replied Standish. "They have not relaxed in their efforts, but all those engaged in its defence believe that Lathom House will never be taken."

"I joy to hear you say so," cried Don Fortunio.

"The Earl of Derby will speedily raise the siege-of that you may feel certain," remarked Standish. "The countess has endured much, but I trust the worst is over."

"Her losses, I am told, have been slight compared with those of the enemy?" observed Don Fortunio.

"True," replied Standish. "But we have just had one loss that has afflicted the whole garrison. Gertrude Rosworm has been killed."

"What do I hear?" cried Engracia. "Gertrude Rosworm killed! But I wonder not. She ever exposed herself to danger."

"Her end was heroic. She saved the countess from an assassin," said Standish.

"Truly, that was an heroic death," exclaimed Don Fortunio.

XXXI.

How the Jewels were sold to Simon Ophir, the Liverpool Jew

BREAKFAST was finished, but the little party were still seated at the table, when Randal, who had attended upon them during the meal, suddenly disappeared, but returned in a few minutes, and signified to Standish that he had something to say to him in private.

Upon this, the young man arose, and bowing to his friends, followed the steward out of the hall.

"Be pleased to come with me to my lord's cabinet," said Randal, leading the way in that direction.

"Wherefore thither?" demanded Standish, struck by his manner. "Do you expect his lordship? Is he here?"

The steward, however, made no reply, but on reaching the cabinet, opened the door, and admitted him.

Two persons were in the chamber.

One of them was the Earl of Derby himself. He had evidently ridden far, and had just dismounted, having hastily taken off his mantle, and thrown his feathered hat on the table. He looked somewhat haggard, and scarcely greeted Standish as he entered the chamber.

With him was an elderly personage, who from his aspect might have been taken for a Puritan. His features were sharp and intelligent, and his eyes keen. He was enveloped in a loose gown fastened at the neck, that concealed the rest of his costume, and had not removed his steeple-crowned hat.

Beside him on the table were two large leather bags, which Standish felt sure contained money. The earl did not mention the name of this personage, and treated him with great hauteur.

"Have you brought the jewels with you?" was the earl's first inquiry of Standish.

"I have, my lord," he replied, producing the cases.

Lord Derby handed them to the stranger, whose keen eyes glistened as he carefully inspected their contents.

The examination took some time, during which not a word was spoken, but the earl and Standish exchanged significant glances. The young man had seen an Israelite money lender in Liverpool, named Simon Ophir, who had grown rich by the necessities of Cavaliers. He suspected this to be the person, and he was right in his surmise.

"Are you satisfied?" said the earl, when the usurer had finished his inspection.

"Yes, they are fine jewels, no doubt," replied Ophir. "But if I give three thousand pounds for them, I shall gain very little by the transaction."

"I will abate nothing," rejoined the earl, haughtily. "I believe the jewels to be worth double the sum I have asked. You know full well that if I did not want the money for an especial purpose I would not part with them."

"Yes, I am aware of that," replied Ophir, "and I have so much respect for your lordship that I would strain a point to serve you. Though, from prudential reasons, I maintain the exterior of a Puritan, I am a Royalist at heart, and my sympathies are entirely with your party. I only lend money to Cavaliers, and always to those of good family."

"Yes, I am aware of it. Sir Thomas Tyldesley has had a thousand pounds from you," observed the earl. "'Twas he recommended you to me."

"Sir Thomas is not the only one of your lordship's friends I have served," remarked Ophir. "Lord Molineux and Sir Gilbert Hoghton could tell you something if they chose."

"I do not want to hear it," said the earl. "They would have had no dealings with you, if they could have helped it. Neither would I."

"Your lordship is mistaken in me," rejoined Ophir. "I desire to deal honourably and fairly with you. I have come to Knowsley at your request, and have brought with me three thousand pounds in gold, wherewith to purchase certain diamonds, which your lordship values at double the sum, but which I feel sure will leave me small profit-if not entail loss. However, a bargain is a bargain, and I am content. You will find the exact amount in those bags."

"Take not his word, my lord," interposed Standish. "Let the money be counted. I am willing to undertake the task."

"I can make no objection," said the moneylender. "But if the sum be not correct, I will forfeit double the amount."

"Trust him not, I repeat, my lord," cried Standish. "Such fellows are not to be believed on oath."

"Count it, then-count it!" cried Ophir angrily.

"I will," replied Standish.

And untying the neck of one of the bags, he emptied half its glittering contents on the table.

"I leave the matter in your hands, Frank," said the earl, rising. "I will send Randal Fermor to help you."

With this, he quitted the cabinet, and proceeded to the great hall, where he found Don Fortunio and Engracia. His appearance did not cause them surprise, as they had been prepared for his arrival by Standish, but they were greatly pleased to see him.

Don Fortunio did not venture to make any inquiries which the earl might have been indisposed to answer, but he obtained the satisfactory assurance that Lathom House would soon be delivered from its assailants.

After some little time spent in converse, they walked out into the garden, as the earl was anxious to see how it looked, but they had not got beyond the terrace, when they were joined by Standish.

"Is the affair settled?" inquired the earl.

The young man replied in the affirmative, and added in a low tone to his lordship: "The money was perfectly right, so I did the rascal an injustice. He has departed with his treasures, and I frightened him by saying he would certainly be robbed before he got to Liverpool."

"You did wrong, Frank," said the earl. "Should his fears be realised, he will think you hired the robbers."

"Nay, for that matter, I feel half inclined to turn robber myself," laughed Standish.

"You will be otherwise employed," said the earl. "You must accompany me to Chester. I shall set out in an hour."

"So soon, my lord?" cried the young man, gazing wistfully at Engracia.

"I have done all I came to do, and shall return without delay," said the earl. "Where is Randal Fermor?"

"You will find him in your cabinet, my lord," replied Standish. "I left him in charge of the money."

The earl then re-entered the house, and proceeded to his cabinet, where he found the steward, who showed him the bags of money, and received his orders respecting them. They were to be carried by two of the troopers who had come with his lordship from Chester.

The hour had flown with inconceivable quickness as it seemed to Engracia and her lover, allowing scarce time enough, they thought, for a tender parting.

But the earl, who had bidden adieu to Don Fortunio, was in the saddle. His little troop was ready. Linacre, also, was ready, and holding Standish's steed by the bridle.

One last embrace and away!

END OF THE FIFTH BOOK.

BOOK THE SIXTH.

PRINCE RUPERT.