It was three in the afternoon. Lord Wentworth, who had taken no heed to himself for seven days, and who had been always in the front rank, dealing out death and defying it, considered that the physical strength and moral courage of his men would hardly hold out two hours longer. Then he summoned Lord Derby. "How long do you think," he asked, "that we can still hold out?" "Not more than three hours, I fear," said Lord Derby, sadly. "But you can promise that it will be two, can you not?" rejoined the governor. "Except for some unforeseen occurrence, I can," said Lord Derby, measuring with his eye the distance still to be passed by the French. "Very well, my friend," said Lord Wentworth, "I place the command in your hands and withdraw. If the English, two hours hence,--but not a moment sooner, you understand,--if, two hours hence, our people have no longer any possible hope, as is only too probable, then I allow you, nay, I command you, the better to relieve you from responsibility, to sound the retreat and capitulate." "In two hours; very well, my Lord," said Lord Derby. Lord Wentworth then advised his lieutenant as to the terms he might demand, which would doubtless be granted by the Duc de Guise. "But," said Lord Derby, "you have forgotten yourself in these conditions, my Lord. Shall I not also ask Monsieur de Guise to hold you to ransom?" A dull light shone on Lord Wentworth's gloomy features. "No, no," he replied, with a peculiar smile; "do not worry about me, my friend. I have assured myself of all that I need,--yes, of all that I desire even." "But--" Lord Derby was beginning to remonstrate. "Enough!" said the governor, authoritatively. "Do only what I tell you, nothing more. Adieu. You will bear witness for me in England that I did all that human mind and hand could do to defend my city, and yielded only to fate? And now it is for you to hold out till the last moment, but be sparing of English honor and English blood, Derby. This is my last word. Adieu." Without staying to say or hear more, Lord Wentworth, having grasped Lord Derby's hand, left the field of battle, and withdrew alone to his own deserted house, giving the most strict and explicit orders that no one should be allowed to follow him on any pretext. He was sure that he had at least two hours before him. CHAPTER XXI LOVE DISDAINED Lord Wentworth believed himself to be sure of two things: in the first place, that two full hours would elapse before Calais would capitulate, and that Lord Derby would demand at least five hours before delivering up the city; in the second place, he was confident that he should find his house entirely unoccupied, for he had taken the precaution to send off all his people to the breach in the morning. André, Madame de Castro's French page, had been imprisoned by his orders; so that Diane must be alone in the mansion, except for one or two of her women.