“Ay,” exclaimed Robert Winter, “all our friends are assembled at Dunchurch. Let us join them instantly, and we may yet stir up a rebellion which may accomplish all we can desire. I, myself, accompanied Humphrey Littleton to Dunchurch this morning, and know we shall find everything in readiness.”
“Do not despair,” cried Lady Catesby; “all will yet be well. Every member of our faith will join you, and you will soon muster a formidable army.”
“We must not yield without a blow,” cried Percy, pouring out a bumper of wine, and swallowing it at a draught.
“You are right,” said Rookwood, imitating his example. “We will sell our lives dearly.”
“If you will adhere to this resolution, gentlemen,” rejoined Catesby, “we may yet retrieve our loss. With five hundred stanch followers, who will stand by me to the last, I will engage to raise such a rebellion in England as shall not be checked, except by the acknowledgment of our rights, or the dethronement of the king.”
“We will all stand by you,” cried the others.
“Swear it,” cried Catesby, raising the glass to his lips.
“We do,” was the reply.
“Wearied as we are,” cried Catesby, “we must at once proceed to Dunchurch, and urge our friends to rise in arms with us.”
“Agreed,” cried the others.