While he was looking about, the farmer's wife, a middle-aged woman, came to him, and said: "We have made a strange discovery. One of the prisoners who was brought from the town last night proves to be a young damsel."

Standish uttered an exclamation of surprise.

"What is more, pursued the woman, she is the daughter of Colonel Rosworm, the German engineer, who has fortified the town. My daughter Joan recognised her at once."

"This is strange, indeed!" cried Standish. "Where is she?"

"In an inner room," replied the woman. "Joan is with her. She persuaded her to lay aside her soldier's dress she had put on, and has lent her a gown that fits her exactly."

"Take me to her at once, I pray you," said Standish.

The good woman complied, and ushered him into a small room, where he found Gertrude and the rustic maiden, who was really very pretty.

"Little did I dream what a prize I had made," said Standish. "But you will not have to endure a long captivity. Before night you shall be exchanged."

"I have nothing to complain of," said Gertrude. "Good Mistress Bancroft and her daughter Joan have been exceedingly kind to me. But, I fear, my father will be uneasy about me."

At this juncture, a noise was heard outside the cottage, and it presently appeared that it was caused by the arrival of the Earl of Derby, who came to look after the prisoners. His lordship was greatly surprised to learn that Rosworm's daughter was a captive.

"I have just caused a parley to be sounded," he said, and am about to send a messenger to the governor. You shall go with him. Tell your father that, but for him, I should long since have taken the town. Had he served the King as well as he has served the Parliament, the rebellion would soon have been crushed."

"I will not fail to tell him what your lordship says," replied Gertrude.

"Methinks, my lord," said Standish, "since we have obtained this prize, we ought not to part with her. Let her remain with these good folks. Her father ought to pay a heavy ransom. If he wants her, let him come for her."

"I am quite willing to take charge of her," said Mistress Bancroft.

"And I will attend upon her," added Joan.

"Be it so," said the earl. "You must be content to remain a prisoner for a short time longer, fair damsel," he added. "But be not alarmed. You are in no danger here."

"I have no fear, my lord," she rejoined. "But I pray that my father may be informed that I am in safety."

"It shall be done," said the earl. "Captain Standish will deliver your message to him."

And followed by Standish, he quitted the room.

A troop of horse was drawn up in the farmyard. Giving a paper to Standish, he bade him ride to the town, and present it to the governor.

"A parley has been sounded," said the earl, "so that admittance to the town will be granted you. The missive is a summons to surrender. Bring back an answer if you can. But I am willing to grant a delay of twelve hours, should it be required, during which truce all acts of hostility must cease on either side."

XVIII.

The Earl of Derby has an Interview with Rosworm

STANDISH then rode towards the town attended by a trumpeter, who blew a loud blast as they approached the Deansgate barrier.

As soon as Captain Bradshaw learnt his errand, he allowed his advance, and sent on a couple of troopers with him to the market-place, where he found Colonel Holland on horseback, with Rosworm.

"I bring your excellency another message from the Earl of Derby," said Standish. "His lordship summons you once more in the king's name to surrender the town-to lay down your arms, and deliver them up to him."

"Aught more?" inquired Colonel Holland, exchanging a look with Rosworm, who smiled sternly.

"He demands that a thousand pounds be delivered to him; and he further requires three hundred muskets, in addition to those which you will give up."

"We are more likely to demand muskets than to yield up ours," observed the governor, dryly.

"If his lordship's demands are agreed to he will raise the siege," said Standish.

"We shall force him to raise the siege," remarked Rosworm.

"Then you refuse the terms offered you?" said Standish.

"Peremptorily," said the governor. "We have no fear of his lordship. We can certainly hold out against him till we are reinforced by the Parliament. Nevertheless, we agree to the proposed truce, and will suspend hostilities for twelve hours. You shall then have our final answer."

The interview being ended, Standish was about to ride off, but Rosworm stopped him.

"A word with you, sir, ere you depart," he said. "My daughter is a prisoner-will she be delivered up?"

"I have no authority to make any promise respecting her," replied Standish. "But I doubt not she will be restored to you to-morrow. Meantime, you may rest assured she will be well cared for."

"Lord Derby will do an act worthy of his name, by restoring her at once," observed Rosworm.

"I will tell his lordship what you say; but I can make no promise," rejoined Standish.

And saluting the governor, he rode off.

It being announced that a short suspension of arms had been agreed upon by both sides, firing entirely ceased, and perfect tranquillity reigned within the town.

But the greatest vigilance was exercised by the besiegers in order to prevent any provisions from being brought into the town, and all the entrances were strictly watched. No supplies could, therefore, be obtained by the inhabitants. But they did not feel uneasy; for although their ammunition was well-nigh exhausted, and their provisions were running low, they believed Heaven would aid them.

As usual, a nocturnal service was held in the Collegiate Church, and it was attended by an immense number of persons. Amongst the congregation was Rosworm, and as he was quitting the building, his eye fell upon a figure in the throng.

The individual in question was a stranger to him, but the countenance was so remarkable, that he could not fail to be struck by it. The attire of the person, and his long dark locks, showed he was not a Roundhead. Yet who could he be? A strange suspicion crossed him that it was the Earl of Derby, but he dismissed the notion as soon as formed, and proceeded to his own dwelling, which we have already mentioned adjoined the church. He had reached the door, and was about to enter, when the mysterious individual, who must have followed him at a distance, came up.

"Can I have a few words with you, Colonel Rosworm?" said the person.

Rosworm answered in the affirmative, and as soon as the stranger had entered, he barred the door.

A lamp was burning on the table, and taking it up, he threw its light on a stately figure. He could not doubt that the Earl of Derby stood before him.

"My lord," he said, "you have done rashly in entering the town in this fashion."

"I have no fear that you will betray me," rejoined the earl-for it was he.

"Hum!" cried Rosworm. "Your lordship has voluntarily placed yourself in my hands. I should not be doing my duty were I to allow you to depart."

"You will not hinder me," said the earl.

"Wherefore not, my lord?" rejoined Rosworm.

"Because a promise has been given me," said the earl.

"By whom?" demanded Rosworm.

"By me," responded Gertrude, rushing from the inner room, and throwing herself into his arms.

For a few moments emotion kept Rosworm silent. He then asked: "Didst thou bring Lord Derby here?"

"I did, father," she replied. "I enabled him to enter the town, and brought him to this house. Moreover, I promised him in your name that he should return in safety."

Rosworm made no remark, and she went on.

"I could not do otherwise, since his lordship desired it. He had set me free."

"I wished to have some talk with you," said the earl, "and took this means of obtaining my wish."

"My lord," said Rosworm, gravely, "if you design to make any proposition to me, understand that I cannot listen to it."

"I do not wish to shake your fidelity," said the earl. "But this siege cannot last long. When it is over, will you enter into my service? You know Lathom House?"

"I have heard of it, my lord. 'Tis a strong place."

"I mean to garrison it for the king," said the earl. "Will you aid the Countess of Derby to defend it? I will make it worth your while to do so."

For a few minutes Rosworm made no reply, and seemed debating the matter within himself.

"Accept the offer, I entreat you, father!" said Gertrude.

"I do not wish you to desert your present post," said the Earl of Derby. "If I understand aright, you have not a permanent engagement with the Governor of Manchester."

"Your lordship has been correctly informed," rejoined Rosworm.

"When this siege is ended, you will be free?" pursued the earl.

"I shall, my lord," replied Rosworm.

"Then you can join with me?" said Lord Derby.

"The Manchester men might calumniate me, and say that I had been bought," rejoined Rosworm.

"Heed them not!" cried Gertrude. "You will have fully discharged your engagement to them."

"Not till then do I ask you to join me," said the earl. "I recognise the honourable principles by which you are actuated."

"My lord," said Rosworm, "I am a mercenary soldier, but I am, also, a man of honour. If the Manchester men desire to retain me, I shall continue with them. If not, I will come to your lordship. I can make no other promise."

"I must own that I am grievously disappointed," observed the earl. "I persuaded myself you would be proud to serve the Countess of Derby."

"The countess, I know, is one of the noblest ladies in the land," rejoined Rosworm; "and her courage, I doubt not, is equal to her high rank-but I must abide by my engagement."

"Enough!" cried the earl. "I deem your scruples idle-but will say no more. I am sorry on your account, fair damsel," he added to Gertrude. "The countess would have been glad to have you with her."

"And I should have been delighted to serve her ladyship," cried Gertrude, eagerly.

"You shall do so, if your father will part with you," said the earl.

"May I accept the offer, father?" cried Gertrude, imploringly.

"E'en as thou wilt," rejoined Rosworm. "I will not hinder thee."

"Then come to Lathom when this siege is ended," said the earl. "Perchance, your father may bring you."

"I hope so, my lord," she replied.

"I make no promise," said Rosworm. "But I repeat thou art free to do as thou wilt."

"Are you in earnest, father?" she asked.

"Quite in earnest," he replied. "You have my full consent to the step."

"Then we shall expect you at Lathom ere long," said the earl.

"I will come, my lord, joyfully," she replied.

"My business here is done," said the earl. "Colonl Rosworm, you must see me safely out of the town."

"I will, my lord," replied the other. "'Tis lucky the night is dark. But you had best pull your hat over your brows, and hide your face with your cloak, or you may be discovered. I am ready to attend your lordship," he added, unbarring the door.

"Good-night, fair damsel," said the earl. "Our next meeting will be at Lathom."

And he quitted the house with Rosworm.