It was now nearly high water, and only a strip of sand intervened between the sea and the rock. But the boat was still lying where the prince had descried it from above, and the men were close beside it awaiting orders. It was then that the prince addressed a few parting words to Lord Derwentwater and his betrothed. “When I come back, and I mean to come back soon,” he said, “I trust I shall find that the contract which I witnessed has been followed by a yet more binding ceremony, and that two persons in whom I take the deepest interest have been for ever united in the silken bonds of matrimony by our Holy Church. Do not delay. When a matter like this has been settled, the sooner it is carried out the better.” “There shall be no delay on my part--that I promise your majesty,” said Lord Derwentwater. “And none on yours, I trust, fair lady?” “None,” she replied, but in accents so low that they were scarce heard above the sound of the waves as they flowed within a few yards of them. “All then will go well,” said the prince. “May our next merry meeting be at Dilston! where the lovely bride, as well as her noble consort, will, I am certain, give me a hearty welcome.” “That I will, my gracious liege, most assuredly, if I am there,” she rejoined. “If you are not there, I won't enter the castle,” said the prince. “But find you I shall--or there is no truth in man or woman.” “Nay, my liege, I only meant that you may perchance return before the marriage has been solemnised.” “Have I not said that it must not be delayed?” rejoined the prince. “I now lay my command upon you both to that effect, and I trust I shall not be disobeyed.” “I will take care that your majesty's injunctions are fulfilled,” said Lady Webb. “With that assurance I shall depart in better humour with myself than I should have done otherwise,” said the prince. “My voyage has not been altogether fruitless. If I have not succeeded in my own design I have helped a dear friend to a charming wife--and that is something.” Just then, a flash of light was seen in the Fairway, and next moment the sound of a gun was heard; the loud report being echoed by the rocks behind the party. X.--THE ESCAPE. |All eyes were turned in the direction whence the sound had come, and a single masted vessel could be imperfectly distinguished, about half a mile off. “'Tis the sloop!” exclaimed Lord Widdrington. “Yes, I am summoned, and must go,” cried the prince. “Farewell! Farewell!” On hearing the signal, the two men instantly pushed down the boat into the water. All was ready, for the valise had been previously placed inside it by the porter, together with a couple of firelocks. It had been arranged that the two nobles should accompany the prince to the sloop. Accordingly they entered the boat with him. As the bark quitted the strand, the prince stood up to wave an adieu to the ladies--but they were soon lost to sight.