It must not be supposed that while their leader was thus cared for, the yeomen were neglected. On the contrary they were very well attended to. They were told that the sheriff had ordered them to dismount, and they very readily obeyed. Their horses were accommodated in the squire's roomy stables, and they themselves were conducted to the spacious servant's hall, where all that was left--and it was no slight matter--of the abundant dinner was set before them, together with as much strong ale as they chose to drink. They were not served with punch, like their betters, but they were offered usquebaugh, and we may be sure they did not refuse the stimulating liquor, which nearly resembled whisky, pretty freely.
IX.--THE PRINCE'S PARTING INJUNCTIONS TO LORD DERWENTWATER AND ANNA.
|On quitting the dining-room before the scene of revelry commenced, the ladies left the mansion to its noisy occupants, and repaired to the castle--gaining admittance in the same manner as the prince. They found his highness in the guardroom alone, pacing to and fro. He questioned them eagerly as to how all was going on.
“The scheme has completely succeeded,” said Lady Webb. “In two hours' time--if they go on as they are now doing--the sheriff and his party will be quite incapable of offering any opposition to your majesty's departure. As to their attacking the castle, that is quite out of the question.”
“Your majesty may depend that my brother will take good care of your chief enemy,” said Dorothy. “The others will be entertained in the servants' hall--so well entertained that they are not likely to stir till your majesty is safe on board the _Saint Abbs._”
“Excellent!” cried the prince. “Good wine has never been turned to better account than on the present occasion. I own I doubted the success of the scheme, but I did not know the habits of my Northumbrian lieges so well as Mr. Forster. The sheriff appears to have fallen very easily into the snare.”
“He was skilfully dealt with,” laughed Anna; “caught before he knew what he was about.”
After a little further discourse, they came forth into the court, where they continued till such time as it began to grow dark, when they mounted the outer walls, and gazed at the dusky, yet glimmering expanse spread out before them.