“I do sincerely sympathise with your distress,” replied Digby, in a tone of the deepest commiseration; “but I am sure what Catesby advises is for the best. I could not reconcile it to my conscience to allow you to sacrifice yourself thus. Be governed by prudence.”
“Oh no——no!” cried Viviana, distractedly. “I will not be stayed. I command you not to detain me.”
“Viviana,” said Catesby, taking her arm, “this is no season for the display of silly weakness either on our part or yours. If you cannot control yourself, you must be controlled. Father Garnet, I intrust her to your care. Two of my troop shall attend you, together with your own servant, Nicholas Owen. You shall have stout horses, able to accomplish the journey with the greatest expedition, and I should wish you to convey her to her own mansion, Ordsall Hall, and to remain there with her till you hear tidings of us.”
“It shall be as you direct, my son,” said Garnet. “I am prepared to set out at once.”
“That is well,” replied Catesby.
“You will not do me this violence, sir,” cried Viviana. “I appeal against it, to you, Sir Everard.”
“I cannot help you, madam,” replied the knight, “indeed, I cannot.”
“Then Heaven, I trust, will help me,” cried Viviana, “for I am wholly abandoned of man.”
“I beseech you, madam, put some constraint upon yourself,” said Catesby. “If, after your arrival at Ordsall, you are still bent upon your rash and fatal design, Father Garnet shall not oppose its execution. But give yourself time for reflection.”
“Since it may not be otherwise, I assent,” replied Viviana. “If I must go, I will start at once.”