"That will do admirably!" cried Sir Richard eagerly. "You have saved me. You must take my excuse to the prince. He will then believe it." "But to give a colour to the excuse you must really go to Rawcliffe Hall." "I require no urging," rejoined Sir Richard. "I am most anxious to get away, and heartily regret that I ever joined the insurrection. I wish I could make terms with the Government." "Perhaps you may be able to do so--but of that hereafter," rejoined the priest. "First effect a secure retreat. I will do all I can to cover it." "I will set off at once," said Sir Richard. "But I must take leave of my daughter." "Better not," said the priest. "I will bid her adieu for you." Sir Richard suffered himself to be persuaded, and presently left the room. Ordering his horse, on the pretext of attending the muster of the Manchester Regiment, he rode out of the town. Not till some quarter of an hour after the baronet's departure did Father Jerome present himself to the two damsels, who were alarmed at seeing him appear alone. "Where is papa?" exclaimed Constance eagerly. "He has started for Rawcliffe," replied the priest. "Gone!--without a word to me! Impossible!" she cried. "'Tis nevertheless true," replied Father Jerome, gravely. "He wished to avoid any discussion. He has gone to fetch certain documents, without which he declines to appear before the prince." "His highness will regard it as an act of disobedience, and will be justly offended," cried Constance. "I do not think so, when I have explained matters to him," rejoined the priest. "I am not to be duped," said Constance, bitterly. "Atherton will learn nothing more." CHAPTER XXIII. THE PRINCE ATTENDS SERVICE AT THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH. This being the festival of St. Andrew, as already intimated, the Scottish nobles and chiefs desired that a special morning service should be performed for them at the collegiate church, and arrangements were accordingly made for compliance with their request. Prayers were to be read by the Rev. William Shrigley, one of the chaplains, and an avowed Nonjuror, and the sermon was to be preached by the Rev. Mr. Coppock, chaplain to the Manchester Regiment, who was chosen for the occasion by the prince. A certain number of men from each regiment being permitted to attend the service, the whole of the nave, except the mid aisle, which was reserved for the officers, was entirely filled by Highland soldiers, and as the men were in their full accoutrements, and armed with targets, claymores, and firelocks, the effect was exceedingly striking.