“I cannot think otherwise, daughter,” observed Father Norham, who was present.
“Perhaps your escape may be accomplished?” cried the countess eagerly.
“That is wholly different,” said the earl. “If you can aid in my deliverance, I shall rejoice. But I fear the attempt will not be successful.”
“Wherefore not?” said the countess.
“Because I believe that my destiny is otherwise,” rejoined the earl.
“Yield not to such fancies, my son,” said Father Norham. “Nor let any scruple hinder you from freeing yourself, if you can, from the tyrant's power. Break his bonds I counsel you, and escape from captivity and death. You may still be able to serve King James, and the great services you have rendered him, and the sacrifices you have made for him, may be rewarded.”
“Whatever is done, must be done quickly,” said the earl. “The time approaches when escape will no longer be possible—unless,” he added, with a strange smile, “I could walk, like Saint Denis, with my head off.”
Though the earl never quitted the Devereux Tower except for the scaffold, two remarkable escape occurred from adjoining fortifications, to which we shall refer.