"'If they consent to these conditions, the governor and the principal officers are to deliver themselves up immediately; and the castle, citadel, and all the gates of the town are to be taken possession of forthwith by the king's troops."
"I cannot make up my mind to this," cried Colonel Townley.
"Unfortunately there is no help for it," observed Colonel Hamilton. "But hear what follows: 'All the small arms are to be lodged in the town guard-room, and the rest of the garrison are to retire to the cathedral, where a guard is to be placed over them. No damage is to be done to the artillery, arms, or ammunition.' That is all."
"And enough too," rejoined Colonel Townley. "The conditions are sufficiently hard and humiliating."
"Gentlemen," said the governor, addressing the officers, "'tis proper you should hear the terms offered by the duke."
And he proceeded to read the letter to them.
Murmurs arose when he had done, and a voice—it was that of Adjutant Syddall—called out:
"Reject them!"
"Impossible," exclaimed Hamilton.
Thinking he had been kept waiting long enough, Captain Vere then stepped forward and enquired, "What answer shall I take to his royal highness?"