A letter arrived from the Chevalier de Saint George enjoining the Earl of Derwentwater to prepare for immediate action. “So soon as the standard is set up in Scotland by Mar, you must rise,” ran the missive. Aware that the earl had received a despatch from France, the countess flew to his cabinet, and found him pacing to and fro within it, in a state of great perturbation. “Read that,” he said, giving her the letter. Her cheeks flushed as she scanned it, and she exclaimed almost joyfully: “You will obey his majesty's orders. There must be no hesitation now. If there is one man in England on whose zeal and fidelity King James ought to be able to count, it is the Earl of Derwentwater, with whom he is connected by birth, and whom he regards as a brother. Would you disappoint all the hopes he has formed of you! Shake off this worse than womanish weakness if you would not have me despise you.” “No more!” cried the earl, almost fiercely. “You have said enough. You have hardened my breast. I care not now what ensues.” “I am glad I have roused you,” she cried. “Had you been wanting in the hour of action, you would have been deemed a traitor to your king, and have lost the respect of all honourable men.” Just then Father Norham entered the room. “I fear I have come at an unlucky moment,” he said, perceiving from their looks that some misunderstanding had occurred between them; “and I would at once retire, had I not important news to communicate. I have just received private information from Newcastle that a warrant has been issued for your lordship's arrest on a charge of high treason. The officers will be here to-morrow, and as they will be accompanied by a party of horse-militia, you must either resist them or keep out of the way. Since you are not fully prepared for a rising, I would counsel the latter course.” “And I advise resistance,” said the countess. “No--that would precipitate the outbreak,” said the earl. “I must concert measures with my friends ere I take up arms.” “You cannot remain in the castle, my lord,” said the priest. “A most rigorous search will be made, and if you are discovered, you will be apprehended and placed in confinement.” “Where shall I find a secure retreat?” said the earl. “You ought not to be too far off, in case of a sudden emergency,” said the countess. “Your lordship would be perfectly safe in Nathan the woodcutter's hut in the thicket,” said the priest. “No one will seek you there--and even if the place should be visited, you can easily escape into the wood.”