XIX.

How Rosworm got the Earl out of the Town

IT wanted but an hour of midnight as Rosworm and the earl sallied forth, and the street was almost deserted at that time.

Crossing the churchyard, they proceeded along Cateaton-street, and had reached Smithy Door, when they encountered a patrol. It consisted of a dozen men belonging to the town-guard, and was headed by Captain Cranage, who commanded them to halt in a loud authoritative tone.

Rosworm immediately gave the counter-sign, but Cranage did not appear entirely satisfied, and turning to Lord Derby demanded his name.

The earl made no reply, whereupon Rosworm interposed, and said: "'T is sufficient he is with me."

"I do not like his appearance," said Cranage. "He must give an account of himself to the governor. Come with me," he added to the earl.

Lord Derby, however, did not move, and the order being repeated, he put his hand to his sword.

The action did not pass unnoticed by Cranage, who ordered two of his men to seize him and bring him along.

"Off!" cried the earl, fiercely, as they advanced to execute the order. "You will touch me at your peril."

Rosworm now deemed it necessary to interpose.

"Meddle not with him," he said. "I will answer for him."

"He has the appearance of a malignant," said Cranage. "If he is a Parliamentarian he will not object to come before the governor."

"It is needless, I tell you," cried Rosworm. "I have already said I will answer for him. Would you set up your authority against mine? Stand aside, and let us pass."

Cranage did not venture to offer any further resistance, for he feared he might be reprimanded by the governor. He therefore allowed Rosworm and his companion to proceed; but when they had got to a certain distance, he quitted his men and followed them.

He saw them proceed to Saint Mary's Gate, and fancied they halted near the conduit, but on arriving at this spot he could see nothing of them. No one was near who could give him any information.

He hurried to the end of Market-street Lane, and then to Deansgate, but seeing nothing of them in either thoroughfare, he mounted the walls, and addressing a sentinel, asked whether he had seen Colonel Rosworm?

"He was here not five minutes ago," replied the man. "He was making his rounds, and came from Deansgate."

"Was he alone?" inquired Cranage, eagerly.

"I cannot tell," rejoined the sentinel. "I thought I saw some one with him at a distance. But if it were so, the person must have left him suddenly."

"He has escaped," muttered Cranage. "I believe it to be the Earl of Derby himself!"

XX.

How the Siege was Raised by Command of the King

NEXT day, a council of war was held by Lord Derby and the chief Royalist gentlemen at Hulme Hall, the seat of Mr. Thomas Prestwich.

At this meeting, Lord Molineux and Sir John Girlington assisted, and it was unanimously resolved that, if the terms offered should be refused by Colonel Holland and the Parliament officers, the siege should be vigorously carried on.

Sir Thomas Tyldesley thought it would be better to burn down the town without delay than allow the garrison to wait for the reinforcements, and in this proposition the majority of the council entirely concurred.

Every preparation, therefore, was made for the renewal of hostilities at the expiration of the armistice, in case the conditions offered by Lord Derby should be rejected. A council was likewise held by the Parliamentarians, in which the only voice in favour of peace was Colonel Holland's, but he was overruled, the militia and townsfolk declaring they would rather shed their last drop of blood than deliver up the town.

An early morning service took place in the Collegiate Church, and a sermon was preached by Warden Heyrick. Discourses were likewise delivered in various parts of the town by the different ministers, and hymns sung. In this manner the ardour of the townspeople was greatly inflamed, and no one would hear of a surrender.

When the hour arrived for the delivery of the answer, Colonel Holland rode forth from Deansgate attended by Captains Radcliffe, Bradshaw, and Booth, and followed by a company of well-mounted and well-armed horsemen.

They were watched by a great number of the townsfolk, men and women, who were collected on the walls facing Alport Park, and by Rosworm and his daughter from the summit of the church-tower.

About a bow-shot from the gate was stationed the Earl of Derby, completely armed, and mounted on a noble charger. His lordship was closely attended by Frank Standish, and at a little distance were Sir Thomas Tyldesley, Sir Alexander Radcliffe, Sir Edward Mosley, and Mr. Prestwich.

Behind was drawn up the whole of the Royalist cavalry and dragoons-each troop having a captain-and yet further on were the foot soldiers, altogether forming a splendid sight.

At the battery behind the trench recently digged in front of Deansgate, cannon was planted, and the artillerymen were in readiness. Everything betokened that a grand attack could at once be made upon the town, if necessary.

On the other hand, though little display was made, no preparations for the defence had been neglected by Rosworm.

On Colonel Holland's approach Lord Derby rode forward to meet him, and courteous salutations passed between them. After they had exchanged a few words, the earl said: "I hope my offer can be accepted, colonel, and that we shall be able to come to an amicable understanding."

"I fear not, my lord," replied the governor, assuming a grave expression. "I am as anxious as your lordship can be that the effusion of blood should be stayed, and that the horrors of a civil war should be avoided, but this can only be accomplished in one way, and it does not rest with us. Hitherto, Heaven has fought on our side, so that we have been able to resist every attack made upon us. It is idle, therefore, to suppose we shall surrender the town while we are able to keep it. The siege must be raised by your lordship, if peace is to be made between us."

"Never will I raise the siege, colonel," rejoined Lord Derby firmly, "unless by his majesty's express command. The bloody strife must, therefore, continue. But be not too confident that you can maintain the town. That I have underrated your strength I freely admit-but in concluding you can hold out you are equally mistaken."

"We can hold out till we are relieved, my lord," said the governor. "Reinforcements are certain to be sent us by the Parliament."

"But they may be cut off," rejoined the earl. "Prince Rupert will take care they do not reach you."

"We have little apprehension on that score, my lord," said the governor. "Prince Rupert will be wanted by the king."

"Then all my attempts at pacification are vain," said the earl. "In an hour I shall recommence the attack. Be not surprised if we should visit the town to-night."

"In that case I must prepare for your lordship's reception," rejoined the governor.

And courteously saluting the earl, he rode back to the town with his companions.

Scarcely was he gone when Sir Thomas Tyldes-ley informed the earl that a messenger had just arrived from the king.

"'Tis Captain Galliard," said Sir Thomas; "he has brought this letter for your lordship."

Lord Derby hastily opened the despatch, and glanced at its contents.

In spite of his habitual self-command, he could not conceal his annoyance.

"Your lordship looks disturbed," said Sir Thomas; "I hope you have not received bad news?"

"So bad that I scarcely like to mention them, Sir Thomas," replied the earl. "His majesty has commanded me to raise the siege, and return to Warrington without delay."

"But you will not obey the injunction, my lord," said Tyldesley.

Lord Derby made no reply, but desired to speak with the messenger, whereupon Captain Galliard came forward.

"Are you acquainted with the contents of this despatch, sir?" asked the earl.

"No, my lord," replied Galliard. "I received it from his majesty's own hands, and he bade me tell your lordship that it must be instantly obeyed. I have ridden as hard as I could from Nottingham."

"I would you had arrived an hour later, for the attack would then have commenced," said the earl. "Never before did I feel inclined to disobey his majesty's order. What shall I do, Tyldesley?"

"I dare not counsel you, my lord," replied the other. "But I know what I would do myself."

"No! no! I must not be disloyal," cried the earl.

Then turning to Sir Alexander Radcliffe and the others, he said: "Gentlemen, the attack will not be made. I have just received the king's orders to raise the siege forthwith."

They looked at each other in surprise and consternation.

"My lord," said Sir Alexander Radcliffe, "the men will be greatly dissatisfied when they hear the order. They feel certain we should take the town to-day."

"It cannot be helped," rejoined the earl.

Then turning to Standish, he bade him cross the river at Ordsall, and proceed as quickly as he could to Salford to communicate the intelligence to Lord Molineux and Sir John Girlington.

"Take Captain Galliard with you," he added.

Standish immediately rode off on his errand, accompanied by the messenger.

Nothing could exceed the dissatisfaction of the soldiers when the order was made known to them.

The arrival of Captain Galliard and his interview with the earl had been witnessed by Rosworm from the summit of the church-tower, and he at once inferred from the subsequent proceedings that the siege would be raised, and communicated his opinion to the governor.

The opinion seemed confirmed, when no attack was made.

All remained quiet throughout the day, and nothing was heard during the night, but when Rosworm looked from the church-tower next morn, the bridge was clear-the besiegers were gone from Salford, and from Alport Park, and had taken their ordnance with them.

END OF BOOK THE FIRST.

BOOK THE SECOND.

CHARLOTTE DE LA TReMOILLE, COUNTESS OF DERBY.

I.

Lathom House

ABOUT a week after the siege of Manchester had been raised in the manner previously related, the Earl of Derby, accompanied by Lord Molineux and Sir John Girlington, and attended by a large body of men, set out from Wigan-one of the few towns in Lancashire that remained perfectly faithful to the king, and took his way towards Lathom House.

As he came in sight of the stronghold, he remarked with a stern smile to those near him: "That house will never be taken by the rebels."

Lathom House was certainly a magnificent pile, and so large that, according to an old poem, "within it could be lodged kyngys three." It was also at Lathom House that a former Earl of Derby had dwelt in such state, that it was said by Camden, "that with his death the glory of English hospitality had fallen asleep." Equal hospitality had likewise been exercised in the same lordly mansion by James Earl of Derby until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he had been obliged to fortify the house, and arm the greater part of his servants and retainers.

Nothing could be more striking and picturesque than the appearance of Lathom House, at the period of our story.

It was a vast embattled mansion, crowned with turrets, from the midst of which rose a lofty square tower, called the Eagle Tower. From the summit of this tower was displayed the proud banner of the Stanleys, bearing the loyal motto-SANS CHANGER.

Originally built in the reign of Henry the Seventh, Lathom House is said to have furnished that monarch with the design of Richmond Palace. Possessing a very grand and imposing exterior, it contained many noble apartments-an immense banqueting-hall, and a grand presence-chamber. Attached to it was a beautiful chapel. The outer court, which was of considerable extent, and contained large stables and other buildings intended for the garrison, was surrounded by strong battlemented walls, defended by nine towers, each provided with six large pieces of cannon-three placed to fire one way, and three the other. The walls were encompassed by an unusually wide and deep moat, the inner banks of which were defended by a row of stout palisades. The walls were strengthened internally by earthworks, two feet in thickness. The gatehouse was exceedingly lofty and strong, and its machicolated battlements and tall towers were furnished with ordnance; while the entrance was protected by a drawbridge and double portcullis.

"There is something particular and romantic in the situation of this house," says Archdeacon Rutter, "as if nature herself had formed it for a stronghold, or place of security. The uncommon situation of it may be compared to the palm of a man's hand, flat in the middle, and covered with a rising round about it, and so near to it, that the enemy in two years were never able to raise a battery against it so as to make a breach in the wall practicable to enter the house by way of storm."

The ground on which Lathom House stood was a moorish tract but thoroughly drained by the moat. At a short distance from the mansion there was a park, and embosomed among the trees was Burscough Priory-a convent of Black Canons, founded by Robert Fitz-Henry, Lord of Lathom, in the reign of Richard the First.