The conspirators whispered for a moment amongst themselves; and at length Sir William Parkyns took a step forward, saying, “Are we to understand your grace that you will give us no assistance from the French forces under your command?”

“You are so to understand me,” replied the Duke of Berwick, sternly:  “I will not, sir, allude distinctly to the schemes that you have formed.  But you are all well aware of them; and I tell you that I will give no aid, support, or countenance whatsoever, either to such schemes or to the men who have formed them.  At the same time, let me say, that had there been—­instead of such schemes—­a general rising against the usurper—­ay, or even a partial rising—­nay, had I found twenty gentlemen in arms who needed my help in the straightforward, honest, upright intent of re-seating their sovereign on his lawful throne, I would not have hesitated for a moment to land the troops under my command, and to have made a last determined stand for honour and my father’s rights.  As it is, gentlemen, I have nothing farther to say, but take care of yourselves.  I shall remain here for a couple of hours, and then return with all speed to France.”

“But does not your grace run a great risk,” said Sir George Barkley, “in remaining so long?”

“I fear no risk, sir,” said the Duke of Berwick, “in a righteous cause; and I do not wish that any man should say I was amongst the first to fly after I had warned others.  You have all time, gentlemen, if you make use of it wisely.  Some, I see, are taking advantage of my caution already.  Sir George, you had better not be left behind in the race.  You say there is a ship in the river—­get to her, and be gone with all speed.”

“But the captain will not sail without the Lady Helen,” said the conspirator, with some hesitation:  “she, it seems, has hired the vessel, and he refused this morning to go without her.”

“That shall be no impediment,” said the lady.  “You may tell the captain that I set him free from his engagement, and I will give an order to his grace that the money may be paid which is the man’s due.  I told you before, Miss Villars had met with a severe accident, and I can neither quit her in such circumstances, nor go till she has recovered.”

“Will you be kind enough, madam,” replied Sir George, who always had thoughts for his own safety, “to write what you have said in these tablets?  Here is a pencil.”

The lady took the tablets and wrote; and while she did so, two or three, more of the conspirators dropped quietly out of the room.  The Duke of Berwick at the same time advanced, and said a few kindly words to Lady Laura, and spoke for a moment to Wilton, with a familiar smile, in regard to the risk he had run.

“To tell the truth,” he said, “I was almost afraid that I should myself meet with a shot between you; for I saw you had your pistol cocked in your hand, and expected that the next fire would have been upon your side.”