Viviana was profuse in her expressions of gratitude, nor was her father less earnest in his acknowledgments.
A few hours after this, Sir William Radcliffe informed Sir Everard Digby that it was his intention to depart immediately, and, though the latter attempted to dissuade him by representing the danger to which he would be exposed, he continued inflexible.

The announcement surprised both Catesby and Garnet, who were present when it was made, and added their entreaties to those of Digby--but without effect.

Catesby's proposal to serve as an escort was likewise refused by Sir William, who said he had no fears, and when questioned as to his destination, he returned an evasive answer.

This sudden resolution of the knight coupled with his refusal to join the plot, alarmed the conspirators, and more than one expressed fears of treachery.

Sir Everard Digby, however, was not of the number, but asserted that Radcliffe was a man of the highest honour, and he would answer for his secrecy with his life.
"Will you answer for that of his daughter ?" demanded Tresham.
"_I_ will," replied Fawkes.
"To put the matter beyond a doubt," observed Catesby, "I will set out shortly after him, and follow him unobserved till he halts for the night, and ascertain whether he stops at any suspicious quarter." "Do so, my son," replied Garnet.
"It is needless," observed Sir Everard Digby; "but do as you please." By this time, Radcliffe's horses being brought round by Heydocke, he and his daughter took a hasty leave of their friends.