Habitually, Sir Richard Rawcliffe's manner was haughty, but he was extremely affable towards the present company, expressing himself delighted to meet Dr. Byrom again. Towards Dr. Deacon he was almost deferential. While they were exchanging civilities, Diggles, the landlord, re-appeared with a fresh bottle of claret and clean glasses; and bumpers being filled, Colonel Townley called out, "Here's to our master's health!" The toast having been drunk with enthusiasm, Diggles, preparatory to his departure, inquired whether the gentlemen desired to be private. "No," replied Colonel Townley. "I will see my _friends_. I don't think you will introduce a Hanoverian, Diggles." "You may trust me, colonel," said the landlord. "No Whig shall enter here." After another glass of wine, Colonel Townley said to the baronet-- "Now, Sir Richard, let us to business. I hope you bring us some recruits. We are terribly in want of them." "I am surprised to hear that," replied Sir Richard; "and I regret that I cannot supply your need. All my tenants refuse to go out. 'Tis to explain this difficulty that I have come to Manchester. Money I can promise his royal highness, but not men." "Well, money will be extremely useful to him. How much may I venture to tell him you will furnish?" "A thousand pounds," replied Sir Richard. "I have brought it with me. Here 'tis," he added, giving him a pocket-book. "By my faith, this is very handsome, Sir Richard, and I am sure the prince will be much beholden to you. I am about to join him at Lancaster, and I will place the money in the hands of his treasurer, Mr. Murray. If every Jacobite gentleman in Cheshire would contribute a like sum his royal highness would not lack funds." Both Dr. Byrom and Dr. Deacon expressed their sense of the baronet's liberality. "I am amazed by what you just stated about your want of recruits," said Sir Richard. "I understood that some thousands had been enrolled in Manchester." Significant looks passed between the others, and Colonel Townley shrugged his shoulders. "I am sorry to be obliged to undeceive you, Sir Richard," he said. "The enrolment has proceeded very badly." "But you have the leading merchants with you. They are all pledged to the House of Stuart." "They are indifferent to their pledges." "Zounds!" exclaimed Sir Richard. "I was wholly unprepared for this. At all the Jacobite meetings I have attended, the boldest talkers were your Manchester merchants. How many campaigns have they fought over the bottle! But are there no young men in the town who will rally round the prince's standard?" "Plenty, I am sure, Sir Richard," replied Dr. Deacon. "When the drum is beaten, numbers will answer to the call." "Better they should enrol themselves beforehand, so that we might know on whom we can count. You have so much influence, Dr. Deacon, that you ought to be able to raise a regiment yourself. Your sons might lend you aid. They must have many friends."