“Nay, she will keep her promise if she makes it. Of that I am convinced,” said Father Norham. At this juncture the butler entered to say that luncheon was served, upon which the earl conducted his guest to the dining-room, where a very substantial repast awaited them. The Chevalier de Saint George had not breakfasted, and his early morning's ride having given him a good appetite, he did ample justice to the broiled trout from the Devil's Water, and the cutlets of Tyne salmon set before him. As the servants were present during the repast, he was treated merely as an ordinary visitor, and the conversation between him and the earl was conducted entirely in French. This circumstance excited the suspicion of Mr. Newbiggin, the butler, who from the first had been struck by the stranger's appearance and manner, and he soon became convinced that Mr. Johnson, as the prince was called, was a very important personage. On quitting the dining-room, the butler found the earl's chief valet in the entrance-hall, and said to him: “I can't make out this Mr. Johnson, Thirlwall. I should like to know what you think of him?” “I'm puzzled, I own,” replied the other. “He seems to me like a Frenchman.” “No more a Frenchman than his lordship is, Thirlwall. But I shouldn't wonder,” said the butler, knowingly, “if he has been brought up at a French court.” “At the Court of Saint Germains?” cried Thirlwall. “Precisely,” said the butler. “Why, you seem to insinuate that it's the Chevalier de Saint George in person, Newbiggin.” “I've my own idea on that point, Thirlwall,” said the butler. “If it should turn out as I suspect, we're on the eve of an insurrection. The prince wouldn't come here on a trifling errand. But keep quiet for the present--this is mere conjecture.” The butler then returned to the dining-room, while Mr. Thirlwall hurried to the servants' hall, where he retailed all he had just heard, with some additions of his own. In less than half-an-hour it was known among the whole household that his majesty, King James the Third, had arrived, in disguise, at the castle. III.--NICHOLAS RIBBLETON. |If any confirmation were wanted of the suspicions now generally entertained by Mr. Newbiggin and the rest of the servants that a rising was imminent, it was afforded by the earl, who took his guest, as soon as luncheon was over, to see the arms stored in the old tower. The inspection occupied some time, for three or four chambers had to be visited, each full of muskets, calivers, pistols, cartouche-boxes, powder-horns, shot-bags, belts, swords of various sizes and make, hatchets, pikes, halberts, black leather caps, drums, kettle-drums, trumpets, fifes, and other martial instruments. In a vault beneath the basement floor were bestowed several barrels of gunpowder. When the examination was finished, the prince expressed himself delighted with the preparations made.