“But when General Forster's sister flies, it may be presumed that the place is not likely to hold out long,” remarked the officer.
“You may draw any inference you please,” rejoined Dorothy. “My own opinion is that General Wills will be driven away to-morrow. He has certainly had the worst of it to-day.”
“Then you will have an opportunity of witnessing his defeat,” said the officer; “for I propose to send you back to the town. Parson Woods,” he added to the minister, “since you have made this important capture, you shall conduct the ladies to the Fishergate avenue. I will send a party of horse to sustain you.”
“I don't require support, general,” said the minister.
“General!” exclaimed the countess. “Is it possible we are speaking to General Wills?”
“Has your ladyship only just made that discovery?” cried Parson Woods, laughing.
“I suspected it from the first,” observed Dorothy.
“You can tell your brother, the general, that you have had a conference with me,” said Wills; “and that you told me to my face that I should be defeated on the morrow.”
“I told you the truth, general, however disagreeable it may be to hear it,” said Dorothy.
“Well, time will show,” rejoined Wills; “but I rather think that before to-morrow night General Forster will have surrendered, and in that event the Earl of Derwentwater will be given up as a hostage.”