"He will be here in two or three days at the latest with his army. But don't alarm yourself, my love."
"Oh, dear!" she exclaimed. "I think we had better leave the town."
"You are needlessly afraid, mamma," cried Beppy. "I am not frightened in the least. It may be prudent in some people to get out of the way; but depend upon it we shan't be molested. Papa's opinions are too well known. I wouldn't for the world miss seeing the prince. I dare say we shall all be presented to him."
"You talk of the prince as if he had already arrived, Beppy," observed Edward Byrom, gravely. "After all, he may never reach Manchester."
"You hope he won't come," cried his sister. "You are a Hanoverian, Teddy, and don't belong to us."
"'Tis because I wish the prince well that I hope he mayn't come," said Teddy. "The wisest thing he could do would be to retreat."
"I disown you, sir," cried the young lady. "The prince will never retreat, unless compelled, and success has hitherto attended him."
"Are you aware that the townspeople of Liverpool have raised a regiment seven hundred strong?"
"For the prince?"
"For King George. Chester, also, has been put into a state of defence against the insurgents, though there are many Roman Catholic families in the city."