Part 16

“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 tomorrow, 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 quietly 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.”

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.''

“And so am I,” cried Forster, joyfully. “Mr. Townley is a great acquisition. But who is the person next him?”

“I can tell you,” replied Mrs. Scarisbrick. “He is Mr. Shuttleworth of Shuttleworth Hall, and belongs to as old a family as Mr. Townley.”

“Bravo!” exclaimed Forster.

“The gentleman next him,” said Father Norham, who had now come up, “is Sir Francis Anderton, of Lostock Hall--a strict Roman Catholic. I know him well. Next him is another Roman Catholic, Mr. Richard Chorley, of Chorley.”

“Who comes next?” inquired F orster.

“Mr. Gabriel Hesketh, of Whitehall, near St. Michael's-in-Wyre,” replied Mrs. Scarisbrick. “The young gentleman with him is his son, Mr. Cuthbert Hesketh. Then comes Mr. John Leyburne, of Natesby Hall.”

“But one remains--Mr. Ralph Standish, of Standish,” said Lord Derwentwater. “He is nearly related to Mr. Townley.”

“All these gentlemen belong to the old religion,” observed Father Norham.

“It must be owned that the Roman Catholics have proved loyal to King James,” said Forster.

“If the High Church Tories support us equally well we cannot fail,” said Lord Derwentwater.

“Oh! we are quite sure of them,” said Forster. “But I must go and receive our distinguished recruits. I must beg your lordship to come with me,” he added to Lord Derwentwater.

They were about to leave the room, when the door was thrown open and Lord Widdrington entered with Mr. Townley, whom he presented to General Forster, stating that he was come to join the insurgent force, and Forster had scarcely welcomed him, when the other gentlemen came in, and were presented in like manner.

This little ceremony gone through, Forster expressed his high gratification at the adherence of such distinguished persons, and said:

“To prove how sensible I am of the importance of your accession, gentlemen, you will understand that you all join with the rank of captain, and I am quite certain you will do credit to the troops you will command.”

This courteous act, as judicious as good-natured, gave great satisfaction to the gentlemen, and was suitably acknowledged.

Lord Derwentwater then came forward, and welcomed them in his turn, offering to provide them all with quarters in his large house.

“My servants will show you the rooms I have to spare, gentlemen,” he said, “and if you like them, they are quite at your disposal.”

Thanks were offered his lordship for the obliging offer, but it was eventually arranged that Mr. Townley and Mr. Standish should be quartered with General Forster, while the others gladly agreed to become Lord Derventwater's guests.

These matters being arranged, the gentlemen were presented by his lordship to the countess, and by General Forster to his sister and Mrs. Scarisbrick.

Shortly afterwards another arrival took place. This was Mr. Richard Gascoigne, a Roman Catholic gentleman, belonging to an Irish family of some distinction. A person of very refined manners, Mr. Gascoigne was a friend of Colonel Oxburgh, by whom he was presented to General Forster, and like those who had preceded him was complimented with the rank of captain. Mr. Gascoigne was very handsome, and seemed to make a favourable impression upon the ladies--particularly upon Mrs. Scarisbrick. The general offered him quarters, which he very gladly accepted.

Several other important additions were made to the force in the course of the day; but it was remarked that they were all Roman Catholics. Notwithstanding the promises of support from that party, not a single High Church Tory joined.

When questioned as to this strange falling off on the part of his friends, General Forster declared he could not account for it. However it was quite clear that the insurgent army was considerably augmented.

On the second day after their arrival at Preston, the rebels numbered more than four thousand men.

VI.--THE BALL AT THE TOWN-HALL.

|Though little time had been allowed for its preparation, the ball at the town-hall was 'really very brilliant. The rooms were large, but crowded to excess, and space could with difficulty be found for the dancers. As the greater part of the male guests were military, their varied costumes added materially to the effect of the scene. The leaders of all the English and Scottish regiments were present, and though Brigadier Mackintosh rarely appeared at such an assembly, his tall figure could be descried amid the gay throng.

As a matter of course, General Forster was there--in fact, he was looked upon as the most important guest and the greatest attention was paid him by the master of the ceremonies and the stewards, but he seemed entirely engrossed by Mrs. Scarisbrick.

The two ladies who attracted most attention by their beauty and grace were the Countess of Der-wentwater and Dorothy Forster. Both looked charming. They had not come prepared for such a ball, but their dresses were very becoming. They were attended by Lord Widdrington, Charles Radclyffe, and several of the Scottish nobles. Lord Derwentwater was not very far off, but he was engaged in converse with Mr. Townley, Mr. Standish, and Sir Francis Anderton.

At this ball all the beauty of Preston was displayed, and no town in the county--perhaps no town in the kingdom--could have made such a display.

The Preston ladies had a witchery about them that very few of the opposite sex could resist. Wherein the charm consisted we cannot say exactly--but since most of them had extremely fine eyes, their glances may have had something to do with it. Be this as it may, the effect of the fascination was manifest. All submitted to the influence--the old campaigner as well as the young recruit. Every damsel appeared to have an admirer--some half a dozen.

Whatever political opinions they had heretofore entertained, the ladies were all now staunch adherents of King James, who could not, they declared, be better represented than by his army, and that army must not be in a hurry to depart. So far from desiring to go, the gallant young troopers declared they should like to remain at Preston for ever.

At the special request of Captain Shaftoe, the handsome young recruits from Lancaster had been invited, and they caused quite as great a sensation as they had done on their arrival at the town. They had no difficulty in obtaining partners, for all the young ladies were anxious to dance with them, and it must be owned that they danced with remarkable spirit and grace. A cotillon in which they figured with some of the prettiest girls in the room, was the great success of the evening.

“Who are those smart young fellows,” inquired Mrs. Scarisbrick, who was looking on at the dance with General Forster.

“I know nothing about them, except that they are recruits from Lancaster,” he replied. “They have been introduced by Captain Shaftoe. You must apply to him for information.”

“They dance charmingly,” observed the lady. “But they look like women.”

“They may be women for aught I know,” said the general. “But they have joined as troopers--at least, Shaftoe tells me so. He is speaking to their captain now.”

“And if the so-called captain is not a woman in disguise, I am very much mistaken,” observed Mrs. Scarisbrick.

The music having struck up for another dance the young sparks ought to have surrendered their partners, who were engaged three or four deep, instead of which they stood up with them again--a course of proceeding that gave great umbrage to the claimants; and in a few minutes a disturbance arose that threw the whole room into confusion.

The Lancaster recruits showed great spirit, and refused to give up their partners, defying the claimants to take them. The challenge was excepted, and a struggle ensued, in the midst of which screams arose, and it was found that three of the Lancashire youths had fainted. Their sex could, therefore, no longer be concealed; and it then came out, as Mrs. Scarisbrick had suspected, that they were a party of young damsels, who had followed their lovers from Lancaster.

The occurrence caused much merriment, and Captain Shaftoe had to undergo a good deal of raillery from Mrs. Scarisbrick.

Shortly afterwards, the more distinguished guests were summoned to a magnificent supper, which was served in an adjoining room.

In the course of the evening there were several Highland dances, which from their novelty produced a great effect. One of these was a Highland reel, in which Lady Derwentwater and Dorothy took part. The countess danced with Lord Charles Murray, and Dorothy with Colonel Farquharson of Invercauld, and acquitted themselves admirably. Beside these, two other ladies joined the reel and found partners in the Master of Nairn and Captain Gordon. All danced with great spirit to the stirring accompaniment of the pipes. A Highland fling, executed by Lord Charles Murray and Captain Gordon, was rewarded by the applause of Brigadier Mackintosh.

Owing to the crowded state of the room some inconvenience was experienced by the dancers, and interruptions occasionally occurred; but, on the whole, the ball went off remarkably well, and was long afterwards remembered at Preston. Many ladies, then in their bloom, used to boast to their grand-daughters, that they had danced with the rebels in 1715, and they invariably added “Never was seen such a fine set of young fellows.”

Amid that scene of gaiety and excitement, when all the young men yielded to the soft influence of beauty, few thought that vigorous preparations for attacking them were being made by their foes, and that within three days many of them would be slain, and the rest exiled. Had such thoughts intruded they would have been quickly banished.

But the revellers were not troubled by any such disagreeable reflections. Content with the enjoyment of the moment, they gave themselves no thought of the future. How could it be otherwise, when their general and most of their officers set them such an example!

But there was one person amid that thoughtless crowd who was oppressed with care, and felt the danger in which the invading army stood. He felt that, if this culpable indifference on the part of the general should continue, they were lost.

Of all that large assemblage which boasted the presence of so many Scottish nobles and gentlemen--so many wealthy English gentlemen--there was not one who had so much at stake as he.

As he looked at his lovely wife, who was then calling forth rapturous admiration in the Highland dance, and felt how soon he might lose her, he could scarcely repress the pang that crossed his breast.

But she seemed full of excitement, and when she came back to him with Dorothy, he strove to receive them with a smile.

Dorothy was not allowed much repose after her fatiguing dance. She was carried off by Charles Radclyffe, who since her arrival seemed to have fallen desperately in love with her. He told her that her image had been constantly before him during the march, and earnestly besought her to enter into an engagement with him.

To this Dorothy replied that she would not make any immediate engagement, but if he survived the campaign, and renewed his suit, she would consider the matter. The promise did not altogether satisfy him, but he was obliged to be content.

VII.--RALPH FAIRBROTHER.

|Somewhat late in the evening, Captain Douglas, who, it may be remembered, had the command of one of the Northumbrian regiments, informed General Forster that a spy had been arrested, but the general was so much engrossed by Mrs. Scarisbrick that he paid no attention to the information. Captain Douglas then spoke to Brigadier Mackintosh, who at once went with him to a small room where the man was detained.

Meantime, the spy had been recognised as Ralph Fairbrother, for whose capture a reward had been offered, and who was supposed to have gone to General Carpenter at Newcastle. On being searched a letter was found on him addressed to General Wills, giving particulars of the exact state of the forces, and making some remarks on Forster's incompetency. The letter bore no signature, but was in a female hand. A few lines, traced in pencil, had evidently been added at the ball, and this important postscript recommended an immediate attack of the town, stating that it must be successful, since Forster was unprepared.

After reading this letter, and considering it for a moment, the brigadier handed it to Captain Douglas, who likewise read it carefully.

“Can ye guess by whom it is written?” inquired Mackintosh in a low tone.

“I can,” replied the other.

“Hark ye, sirrah!” said Mackintosh to the prisoner, who was looking on anxiously, “if you desire to save your life, you will tell us who wrote this letter, and from whom you received it.”

“It was slipped into my hand,” replied the spy. “That is all I know about it.”

“Were you not engaged by a lady to convey it to General Wills? Answer plainly.”

“I betray no confidences,” replied Fairbrother, firmly.

“Is General Wills at Wigan?” demanded Captain Douglas. “And how many regiments of infantry, horse, and dragoons, has he got with him?”

“You ask questions I cannot answer, captain,” replied Fairbrother. “And I would not answer them, if I could.”

“Very well, sir, then you must take the consequences,” said Douglas. “In my opinion, brigadier, this man ought to be shot.”

“Humph!” ejaculated Mackintosh. “We shall hear what General Forster says.

“I have nothing to fear from General Forster,” observed Fairbrother.

“Aha! say you so?” exclaimed the brigadier. “We shall see.”

They then left him in custody, and returned to the ballroom. Forster was still at supper with Mrs. Scarisbrick, and declined to have a private consultation with the brigadier.

“I will attend to business in the morning--not now,” he said.

“But we have discovered a spy,” observed Mackintosh, looking fixedly at Mrs. Scarisbrick; “and have found this letter upon him.”

“Give it me,” cried Mrs. Scarisbrick, snatching it from him. “I will read it to the general.”

“Madam,” cried the brigadier, sternly. “I insist that you place that letter in the general's own hands.”

“I don't want to see it,” observed Forster. “I won't be troubled to-night. To-morrow, will be quite time enough. Keep it for me till then.”

“You will never see it,” cried Mackintosh. “I desire, madam, that the letter may be at once returned to me. If not, I shall be compelled to take it from you.”

“Am I to be exposed to this insult, general?” cried Mrs. Scarisbrick, indignantly.

“Certainly not,” replied Forster, rising from his seat--though not without some difficulty. “Brigadier, I must request you to retire.”

“I obey,” replied Mackintosh. “But understand that I will shoot this spy. I am satisfied of his guilt.”

“Do as you please,” said Forster. “Shoot half a dozen spies if you find them.”

“Nay, for Heaven's sake! don't let him shoot the man,” cried Mrs. Scarisbrick.

“Don't be alarmed,” said Forster, sitting down again.

“The man will only be kept in the guard-house to-night. I'll settle the matter to-morrow. Take some more champagne.”

Reassured by this promise, and having got the letter, Mrs. Scarisbrick said no more. But she had nothing to fear from poor Fairbrother.

At break of day, he was taken by a file of Highlanders to the fields near the Wigan-lane, and there shot. The new chaplain of the forces attended him in his last moments. In explanation of this summary act of justice, Brigadier Mackintosh caused it to be announced that the man was a spy.

This act might have been blamed, but circumstances occurred that seemed to justify its severity.

VIII.--APATHY OF GENERAL FORSTER.

|On the same morning, the Earl of Derwentwater, accompanied by the countess and Dorothy, and attended by Charles Radclyffe and Captain Gordon, but without any guard, rode down to the Ribble Bridge.

While the earl was inspecting the bridge, and the ladies were admiring the river, and the view of the town from the spot, their attention was aroused by the sound of horse's footsteps, and immediately afterwards a man galloped up.

He would have ridden on, but Captain Gordon stopped him, and led him to the earl. It appeared that he had left Wigan early in the morning, and brought very important intelligence. General Wills was undoubtedly there, and, having been joined by six more regiments of dragoons on the preceding evening, it was certain he would make immediate arrangements to attack the insurgents, so that they must be prepared for him.

On receiving this intelligence, the earl at once returned to the town, and proceeded to General Forster's quarters, but could not see him, as the general had not yet risen, being much fatigued by the ball.

Instigated by the countess and Dorothy, the earl determined to take all the responsibility upon himself, and ordered Charles Radclyffe to take his regiment to defend Ribble Bridge. But before the order could be obeyed, Forster appeared and countermanded it.

“It seems to me,” said the general, “that my authority is set at naught. A man has been shot as a spy by Brigadier Mackintosh without consulting me, and now orders are given that a guard shall advance towards Wigan. I suppose the next order will be that the whole army shall get ready to march.”

“It ought to be,” said Dorothy. “You are loitering here far too long, and will be surprised by the enemy. Are you aware that General Wills has just been joined by several more regiments?”

“I do not believe a word of it,” rejoined Forster. “Had such been the case, I should certainly have been informed of it.”

“But a scout has just returned from Wigan,” cried the countess. “We have seen him, and spoken with him. Will you not question him yourself?”

“'Tis needless,” said Forster. “The man has been imposed upon.”

“Then you will neither march against the enemy, nor take any steps for the defence of the town?” cried the Earl of Derwentwater.

“Not unless I receive accurate intelligence,” rejoined Forster. “I am under no apprehension.”

“Was there ever such obstinacy?” exclaimed the earl, turning away in disgust. “Nay, 'tis in vain to reason with him,” he added to the countess.

“Your lordship will understand,” said Forster, “that tomorrow I shall commence the march to Manchester.”