|General Forster's utter incapacity as a leader had now become manifest
to all. He drank as hard during the march, as he had been accustomed to
do at Bamborough, and after these potations his head could not be very
clear in the morning. Had it not been for Colonel Oxburgh, who acted for
him, many ruinous mistakes must have occurred. Remonstrances, however,
were useless. To argue with him only made him more determinately
obstinate. Right or wrong, he would have his own way. The only person he
would listen to was Lord Widdrington, who knew how to humour him.
This state of things at head-quarters filled Lord Derwentwater with the
gravest apprehension, for he foresaw that the general's blundering and
obstinacy must expose them to a chance of defeat, whenever an engagement
with the enemy should occur.
But Forster's indifference to the danger of his position was quite as
remarkable as his stupidity. Although informed on the day after his
arrival at Preston that General Wills was marching to Wigan with several
regiments of dragoons, and some regiments of foot, he refused to believe
the intelligence, and took no pains to verify it.
Neither did he seem willing to credit the report that General Carpenter
was marching against him from Newcastle. So delighted was he with
Preston, with his quarters, with the hospitality of the inhabitants, and
the general attractions of the place, that he was in no hurry to leave.
Like the gentlemen troopers he had submitted to feminine fascination,
and short as had been his stay, Mrs. Scarisbrick, a charming young
widow, already held him in thrall.
It seemed, indeed, to be the design of the Preston belles to captivate
all the insurgent leaders, and many a tender glance was thrown at Lord
Derwentwater by some of the fairest ladies of the place. But he was
proof against all their allurements.
Shortly after the proclamation had taken place, when the crowd
dispersed, and the soldiers had returned to their quarters, two
ladies, both young, and very handsome, well mounted, habited in elegant
riding-dresses, attended b; an elderly personage, who almost looked
like a priest, and followed by a middle-aged man-servant and a couple of
grooms, each having a valise fastened to the saddle, entered Preston
by the avenue connected with the Lancaster road, and proceeded to
the market-place, where they halted to make inquiries respecting Lord
Derwentwaters quarters, and having ascertained that he occupied Sir
Henry Hoghton's house in Church-street, they went thither.
These ladies attracted considerable attention as they rode along, but no
one could tell who they were, until they were recognised by some of the
gentlemen soldiers, as the Countess of Derwentwater and Miss Forster,
the general's sister. It was conjectured that the grave-looking
personage who rode beside them might be Father Norham, the earl's
chaplain, and the old man-servant Mr. Newbiggin, the butler at
Dilston.
When the arrival of the countess and Miss Forster became known it
caused a great sensation in the place, and the news soon reached General
Forster, who chanced to be walking at the time with Mrs. Scarisbrick in
the Fishergate.
The news did not seem altogether agreeable to him, but Mrs. Scarisbrick
was delighted, and said she should be enchanted to make the acquaintance
of the two ladies; whereupon, the complaisant general offered to
introduce her to them forthwith, and begged her to accompany him to Lord
Derwentwater's quarters, where it was certain they would be found.
As the countess wished to take her husband by surprise, no announcement
of her arrival was made to him. Alone, in a room at the back of
the house, and engaged in writing a letter, he did not perceive her
entrance; but when he raised his eyes, and beheld her standing beside
him, he uttered a cry of delight, and springing up, clasped her to his
breast.
“How strange!” he exclaimed, after the first expressions of delight
were over. “I was just writing to you to say I wished I had the power to
conjure you here, and as if in answer to the summons, you appear.”
“You are certainly the enchanter, who has brought me here,” she replied,
smiling. “But I am not alone?” she cried. “Father Norham is with me, and
Newbiggin; and I have also brought Dorothy Forster to see her brother.”
“Dorothy is much wanted,” he replied. “But tell me how you got here?
Have you experienced any hindrance or annoyance on the road?”
“None whatever,” she replied. “We set out from Dilston two days ago, and
got to Lancaster yesterday, just after you had left, but were too tired
to follow, so we rested there, and came on to-day. Do not imagine that I
intend to accompany you in your campaign. My sole object in coming here
is to see you once more. Left by myself at Dilston I became so unhappy
that I thought I should have died. In vain Father Norham offered me all
the consolation in his power. I consulted Dorothy--told her how wretched
I was--that I was resolved to see you again, cost what it might--and she
agreed to accompany me. Finding nothing could turn me from my purpose,
Father Norham likewise volunteered to attend me--nor could I leave
Newbiggin behind. I hope I have not done wrong in bringing him. There
are plenty of faithful servants to take care of the castle during my
absence. But what excellent quarters you have got. This is really a
charming house.”
“Yes, I believe it is the best in the town. It belongs to Sir Henry
Hoghton, who commands the Lancashire militia. He is gone to Wigan, where
he expects to be joined--if he has not been already joined--by General
Wills, with several regiments of dragoons. Our foes you see are close at
hand, yet they might be a hundred miles off for aught Forster seems to
care. If I had the command of the army, I should have fortified myself
at Lancaster, but Forster decided otherwise. Now we may have to stand
an assault here. And Wills is not our only enemy. General Carpenter is
advancing from Newcastle, and possibly may overtake us, ere we leave
Preston.”
“What if he does!” said the countess. “You have no reason to fear him.”
“With Foster at our head, we shall never win a battle,” said the earl.
“You are dispirited, my dear lord,” observed the countess; “and I think
without reason.”
“I wish I could think so,” he rejoined, sadly. “But I cannot. With such
a general as Forster we shall do no good. But where are Dorothy and
Father Norham?”
“I left them in the large room opening from the hall,” she replied.
“I must go and bid them welcome,” said the earl. “I am rejoiced that
Dorothy has come. She has great influence with her brother, and may
extricate us from the dreadful dilemma in which we are placed.”
“Finding your quarters so good, I have asked her to stay with me here,”
said the countess. “I don't think she will be in the way.”
“Not in the least,” replied the earl. “There is room for a dozen more.
My brother Charles is the only person in the house with me, and nothing
can be more agreeable to him than Dorothy's society. By-the-bye, I must
tell you that since his arrival here, the general has fallen desperately
in love with a fair widow--Mrs. Scarisbrick. I mention the matter
because I have no doubt you will soon see her. She is really very
handsome, as are all the Preston women, who have made sad work with most
of the young men in my regiment. They are half crazed about them. But
come along, sweetheart. We must not remain talking here. I want to see
Dorothy and Father Norham.”
Newbiggin was standing in the passage as the earl came forth with the
countess, and received a very kindly greeting from his lordship.
“I am very glad to see you, Newbiggin,” said Lord Derwentwater. “I
haven't time to talk to you now, but I shall have a good deal to say to
you, when I am more at leisure.”
“Has your lordship any orders to give me?” inquired the butler.
“Yes. Select a good room for Miss Forster, and another for Father
Norham, and let all be got ready for them without delay.”
“It shall be done, my lord,” replied the butler. “Your lordship will
find them in this room,” he added, opening the door of a spacious and
well-furnished apartment.