Warwick was a less honest and true-hearted man than Rivers, but he was also a better general. The battle was short and sharp, but the victory remained in the hands of Warwick. His ships got safely away, but they were not by any means out of their troubles. It seemed as though both God and man were against them that night. Before they could reach Beachy Head, there came on them a terrific tempest, and they were tossed up and down in the Channel like toys of the storm. To add to all other distresses, the Duchess of Clarence, whose mental energy had hitherto borne her through her physical sufferings, sank beneath them at last, and became alarmingly ill. It was not until the morning of the fourth day that they found themselves off Calais, and a few hours before, the Duchess had given birth to a child which had not survived the event many minutes. But Calais was Warwick's old home; he had been Governor of the town for years. Here, at least, he might hope for rest and aid.
They cast anchor under shelter of Cape Grisnez, and sent John Wright ashore in a little boat to notify to Vauclere, Warwick's deputy in command, that his master was about to land.
Warwick himself paced the quarter-deck impatiently. What were those sluggards ashore doing, that his own state barge was not sent off at once to land the ladies? Why did Vauclere not appear, cap in hand, to express his satisfaction at the return of his master? When at last he saw his squire return alone, Warwick's patience, never very extensive, failed him utterly.
"What means all this?" he roared in a passion.
"My Lord," shouted John Wright back from the boat, "Messire de Vauclere begs your Lordship will not essay a landing, for the townsmen will not receive you."
"Not receive me!" cried the Earl in amazement. "Me, their own Governor! Lad, didst hear aright? Is Vauclere beside himself?"
"In good sooth, nay, my Lord, and he is sore aggrieved to have no better welcome for your Lordship than so. 'Tis the townsmen, not he, as he bade me for to say, and he earnestly desires your Lordship to make for some other French port."
Warwick could hardly believe his ears.
"But surely," he answered in a rather crestfallen tone, "they will never refuse to receive my Lady Duchess? Have you told Vauclere in what case she now is?"
"My Lord, I told him all things: and he replied that he was sore troubled it should so fall out, but he had no power. He hath, howbeit, sent two flagons of wine for Her Grace."