“On the last occasion,” replied Chetham, “I told you Viviana was a prisoner in the Tower. I have now better news for you. She is free.”
“Free!” exclaimed Fawkes, joyfully. “By Lord Mounteagle's instrumentality?—But I forget. He has only just left me.”
“She has been freed by my instrumentality,” replied the young merchant. “She escaped from the Tower a few hours ago.”
“Where is she?” demanded Guy Fawkes, eagerly.
“In a boat at the stairs near the Parliament House,” replied Chetham.
“Heaven and Our Lady be praised!” exclaimed Fawkes. “This is more than I hoped for. Your news is so good, young sir, that I can scarce credit it.”
“Come with me to the boat, and you shall soon be satisfied of the truth of my statement,” rejoined Chetham.
And followed by Guy Fawkes, he hurried to the river side, where a wherry was moored. Within it sat Viviana, covered by the tilt.
Assisting her to land, and finding she was too much exhausted to walk, Guy Fawkes took her in his arms, and carried her to the house he had just quitted.
Humphrey Chetham followed as soon as he had dismissed the waterman. Placing his lovely burthen in a seat, Guy Fawkes instantly went in search of such restoratives as the place afforded. Viviana was extremely faint, but after she had swallowed a glass of wine, she revived, and, looking around her, inquired where she was.